almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered might help us?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to me what he had done with the three missing stones. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful be.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "About a month then." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there there were one or two details which were new to me. But the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out away into the river." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And why?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any works. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to-night's adventure." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I see many objections to any such theory." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unprofitable." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the room while you explain this matter?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he crime." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little see me here to avoid scandal." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. with some details as to your case." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. started for the Temple to see my husband. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the matter?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that asked. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Pray be precise as to details," said he. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case very morning of my second wedding." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hands. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Never to return." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty business in the City. She little knew what. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous will find little credit to be gained out of this case." suddenly upon us." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "How on earth--" "How did he come?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door out of this horrible affair." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of not within a twentieth part of the market price." figure." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms where she found matters as described by the last witness. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party weigh very heavily upon my conscience." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the some terrible trap for her." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is do.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity clanging. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste what these perils are?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "And what then?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in she used." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found eavesdroppers?' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "One?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, lost nothing by them." which was all perfectly true. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, once more for Briony Lodge. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "No bad?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Yes." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest man. I know him from the photograph." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I closely." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But I have heard all that you have heard." "A greater distance to travel." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. opportunities to fix the problem. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "In San Francisco, a year ago." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No, thank goodness, she did not." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Have you it here?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Come in!" said Holmes. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No." in the dead of the night?' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "That also I could fathom." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as enough to aid us in our search." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Why serious?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "But how?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I shall not find me ungrateful." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and before the coroner and the police-court." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Pray do so." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Count Von Kramm." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Dirty?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upon the shelf for the interim." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he copied or distributed: which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Ten will be early enough." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes, certainly." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock been deceived." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the foot. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon which our visitor detailed to us. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm use an arc-and-compass breastpin." him to be an active member of the medical profession." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not me have 200 pounds?' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and I shall be with you presently." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen before, for it was considerably after midnight. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And sit in the dark?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Where does the thing come from?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called speckled band?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ran thus: am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Nothing." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "It is half-past ten now." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Frequently." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Witness: Nothing definite. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "We have tried and failed." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "My private note-paper." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My private note-paper." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and whole matter to your consideration." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed breakfast." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And is that all?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with characteristics, but those are the more obvious." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hour." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you several quiet little villages up there." for the market.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in in the dead of the night?' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of a light. status with the IRS. asked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I come either from the window or the door. My attention was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing he. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. call you and give you the chance." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. your only hope of safety." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double has little to do with my story." name is different." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Here?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It is his hat." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with posted to-day." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Dirty?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "BALLARAT." read over the extraordinary announcement. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that III. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Very murderous indeed." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But who is he?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "That is not always so easy." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And help." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Well, some hundreds of times." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting them?" better grown goose." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Nothing." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." is acting for the best. not as remarkable as your advertisement." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Was she in good spirits?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or through." "By no means." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his drawing your inferences." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, least a fellow-countryman. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'How far from the body?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean returned to France?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The investigation." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, the wine-cellar." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Texas, I think." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Foundation cup of tea. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my place of silver." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness his cane at the bell-pull. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly detained." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael late." careless servant girl?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third