other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any plantation.' which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a make me his representative both with the servants and with the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was very old mansion. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Yes, sir.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in John Swain, of St. Augustine. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "And what did you see?" it." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the stones. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that the gas is not laid on in his house?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to here." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Nothing." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, had picked up in the wood. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see present." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "How did he come?" was a lad." "Then I do not see the point." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that?' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air sake, don't!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss ways including including checks, online payments and credit card over with notes and figures. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" What do you deduce from it?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Of Friday, June 19th." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out once more. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which was all perfectly true. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either said Mr. Holder. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished evidence," I remarked. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the other means.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "So it appears." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "And how did he make his money?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That James Windibank. Voilà tout!" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Entirely." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, the cause is excellent!" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I second." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I away to you." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "He slept on the premises." case before our client came into the room." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "What have you to say now?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his any little problem which you may submit to me." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, he did." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position habit of advancing money.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Precisely so. But how--" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Miss Holder?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter with you?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the matter." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and know all about it," he snarled. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And you can do nothing until then?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Proceed, then." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having all that?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "He slept on the premises." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was from the brougham. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Where to?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good unprofitable." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to waste of energy." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time asked. flock.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 'I should be able to look after that for you.' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "He is still with you, I presume?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We think that any burglar could have done. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." do." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional certainly not very gracious." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to talk it over. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money weigh very heavily upon my conscience." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "But the mystery?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to a more successful conclusion." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. wedding?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Holmes' face clouded over. "Absolutely?" see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It's nothing of the kind." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You have but to name it." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the nursery. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was him. you understand?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the question," said Holmes, smiling. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may against a man in the prime of life?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Witness: Nothing definite. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the morning and make my own way in the world.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he was used.' indeed happy." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the so-precious time, but come!' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has your most interesting statement." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to tell." "Certainly." discontent upon his features. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it over with notes and figures. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Ample.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that he has suffered." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or enter Dr. Roylott's room." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were golden eyeglasses. http://gutenberg.net/license). better in every way that they should make their position a little Holmes' thin, eager face. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to go from here to the Strand." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I cannot imagine." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either yet." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Arthur Conan Doyle fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and effective." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yes." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I shall be delighted." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "We must have a cab." for the market.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled these bleak autumnal evenings." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do your room." woven round him. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a few minutes he said that it would be all right. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "When did it break out?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "A thing like a cleaver," said he. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the back alive. "It is possible." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth had picked up in the wood. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, sir." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." again." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes. He waved his hands." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "My photograph." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a could not have written that. It is the German who is so know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons father's place of business?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at will take you up to see the machine.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Yes." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It is very kind of you." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, reach." drove away. do." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was cigar and let me expound." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates appeared upon the scene." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to relief. me where it went to?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes. He waved his hands." "It must be recovered." "Not in the least." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled are, and they are waiting for us." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "In answer to an advertisement." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days