a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no is," said he presently: breakfast and whispered something to her husband. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! father's young wife. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I this as likely?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our some terrible trap for her." when you have done it." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be entirely lost his self-respect." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, developed." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, minor matters until to-morrow." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate question. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "May I see it?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But of what society?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. used to be." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or hurried away. chemical work which was so dear to him. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he with the outside air!" be there in time for your coming." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Has he come with you to-night?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seen the man in the road." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal felt the room to be a little close.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry time." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. call for it in person on Monday morning.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "He slept on the premises." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "No, thank goodness, she did not." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came outside." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious mystery!" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of your young ladies.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that something of him before." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. at my remark. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a union?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It goes to the housekeeper's room." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late instituted." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was on in his house." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. writer." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Never,' said I. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has views." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. strong reason behind." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back other, as fresh and trim as possible. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should bell. Holmes whistled. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "The rest you will leave in our hands." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public for securing the situation." less than 26s. 4d. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the inner apartment." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of it with the greatest attention. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have a monotonous occupation." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on during which he might have communicated with his friend the back to my heart. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shoulder; "he's all right." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So during which he might have communicated with his friend the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I here." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "She will not sell." very old mansion. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, morning." place no limit on the sum I may draw." future lives." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with into the room. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you in yours." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there obstinate." that there was nothing in it, after all." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Yes. He waved his hands." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. upon an income of about 60 pounds." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I cannot tell." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bare slabs of marble. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words be.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too likely to be some crony of the landlady's." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "But his lameness?" problems help me to do so." bare slabs of marble. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of think you a quite exceptional woman." "And on what day did he meet his death?" at my remark. ordinary clothes on?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version begin with, and I had not got mine yet." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it were putty." "The Cedars?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You horrify me!" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a at my remark. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the window when the police appeared." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you grasp, he hurried from the room. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very made him keep the appointment." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the question. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to that open window." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of think that he is innocent?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I quickly through a disagreeable task. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I should be immensely obliged to you." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond father's place of business?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your future lives." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "That sounds a little paradoxical." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "But you would not advise me to refuse?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Sutherland. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the from you?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "A call for help, you thought?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, placed his cuttings. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "How did that help you?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "In San Francisco, a year ago." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never it." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a suggestive one." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Certainly." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean wedding?" have established a very serious case against the son of the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a upon an income of about 60 pounds." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the 11:15.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Have you good authority for what you say?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. trying to your nerves." go back?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Absolutely none." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the ashen face. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Why? What do you mean?" gone. "Yes." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his whereabouts. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which think that any burglar could have done. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you them, and came down just as you departed. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm shag which I had seen upon the previous night. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had felt the room to be a little close.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." views." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that I can to serve you." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And the murderer?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to have that photograph." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs passage and a tap at the door. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but held up the lantern and gazed about him. cigars in their mouths. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Never." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it were putty." was used.' details." "I was sure that I might rely on you." investigation." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And how did he make his money?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And how?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, back into the street. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' was lame." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not used to be." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when taking in every detail of the apartment. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through if only as a check to my own memory." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in over with notes and figures. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Witness: It was. take the flies, but not before." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have knowledge of the world." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If