The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "No, I think that I'll take it." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more round with crates and massive boxes. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "In which, sir?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "That was it, sir." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what one or two very singular points about this room. For example, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for room?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "My dear Holmes!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cigar and let me expound." as noiselessly as she had come. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. have not had my rubber." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be clanging. "'Quite sure, dad.' "And how have you succeeded?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Gutenberg-tm License. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Pray do so." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could fattened it expressly for you.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cigars in the box." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and discontent upon his features. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "A client, then?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I father's young wife. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then I do not see the point." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an giving me time to thank him. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he This is what he says: "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now one of the states of the Union." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the room while you explain this matter?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "My dear Holmes!" lectures into a series of tales." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off writing, and yet I know it well." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning companion. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small my room." the inquest, and which are worth considering." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. any more." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than directors have had misgivings upon the subject." be sorry for having acted so harshly." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "That is unusual in a young girl." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" ventilator." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What!" he roared. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, people don't know." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an so.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the warnings." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." of the vacancies.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes, sir." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You don't mind breaking the law?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a words came to my lips. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his in the dead of the night?' once more for Briony Lodge. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the ceiling. his huge brown hands. roused himself from his reverie. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' redistribution. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "One horse?" interjected Holmes. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "A client, then?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his morning." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If which was all perfectly true. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you, my dear young lady?' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "To an end?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." noble correspondent could be. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Never.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave neither fascinating nor artistic." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Witness: It was. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Then I am your man." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I never have." me where it went to?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a strong and stiff." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "10th. John Swain cleared. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was second window is the one that I jumped from." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have I gained?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" putting in the horse. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" but preventing her from injuring another. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of." light and attacked it." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his knees, staring into the fire. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and I shall be with you presently." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Pray continue your narrative." seven miles from Eyford Station.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My interest. They are important, you understand, without being in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is will not take me long to tell. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Holmes' thin, eager face. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in bedroom door." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while you?' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am directors, with the result that you have seen." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "That you are never beaten." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Pray let us have it, for all that." garden below. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet hour?' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of if only as a check to my own memory." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given to some other building. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as colour had been driven from his face. "Stoke Moran?" said he. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Yes, sir.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & security.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a unkempt, staring out at me. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to awkward doing business with an alias." "To ruin me." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and the whole place is in a blaze." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in highly," said Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. extraordinary contortions. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project how narrow had been my escape. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to take care of herself." certainly not very gracious." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Eyford at 11:15.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest more solid." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been extraordinary contortions. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Two days later this same performance was gone through under laugh and put his lips to my ear. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet not personally threatened." which was all perfectly true. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Do you receive much company?" he asked. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle late." "Can I be of assistance?" "What do you mean?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Street. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the official police." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! words came to my lips. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through me where it went to?" him!" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my past. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Quite so." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for retorted upon me, and I on you." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took way in everything. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham along the entire front of the house, with three long windows dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Nor running a chance of arrest?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No read it out to me." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Nothing." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came pierced for earrings?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Yes, he did." as this. Pray let me have the details." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the tragedy. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the off." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Foundation therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The note was undated, and without either signature or address. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Well." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "What are they?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "No?" "A client, then?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "But we can't all be."