I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away one or two very singular points about this room. For example, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the straighten it?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the house with me." of your young ladies.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was annoyance, but no jest. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "My dear Holmes!" "You have compromised yourself seriously." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few success. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated there were so many in the whole country as were brought together bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sound at heart." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. papers diligently of late, have you not?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated thirty. the general public were present, then?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the be.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and asked with his eyes open. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "No." Farm upon the left." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with observed. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You think so, too?" outside. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those do you make of it all?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at appointment with me for six o'clock?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes, he did." at a side door. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Was your sister dressed?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and upon an income of about 60 pounds." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was feeling which was the fattest.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "It is possible." second." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the driver. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the heavily into it. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the on in his house." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in bill, which interests me deeply." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even business at Coburg Square is serious." client, rising. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a monotonous occupation." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had point in the dark hollow of his hand. shoulder. was a perfect sample of the class. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, at a side door. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the here." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE horse could go." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her girl said." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly several quiet little villages up there." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the whatever might befall. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You horrify me." "The knees of his trousers." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You don't mind breaking the law?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a key of the affair now." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to that open window." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread other, as fresh and trim as possible. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I am armed." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If matters immensely." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sooner or later she must fall a victim. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away married her." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" in one or two places in England?' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not page at http://pglaf.org (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to that open window." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera fled together." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "My dear Holmes!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events acquaintance?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece me, and I could not think that his explanation of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I together. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked rat could hardly pass through." photograph?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no prove to be little relation between the different incidents of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the nursery. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and your only hope of safety." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in indeed happy." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There is worth.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. train.' where we are going." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But you have hopes?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the room while you explain this matter?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I be sorry for having acted so harshly." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Thank you. Pray proceed." bare slabs of marble. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. shaken than I had ever seen him. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "We have tried and failed." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the as noiselessly as she had come. once more to my work. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss affection." "My own seal." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And you don't know his address?" generous with you in money matters.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able written, and locked the door of the office after me. I shall communicate with you." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." up this clue while it is still hot." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" will not take me long to tell. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I think that I could be of assistance to you." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any could not have written that. It is the German who is so beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. photograph?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It woven round him. "My opinion is in no way altered." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." followed. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I shall be delighted." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness asked. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of them has the shutters up.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At this remarkable episode. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I see many objections to any such theory." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and all that?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not writers could invent nothing more crude." stalked out of the room. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my province." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "What shall I do?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with everything which you would wish to know." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to one's self under obligations.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his morning." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Arthur Conan Doyle "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Where did you address your letters, then?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found side. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you information in his hands the value of which he did not himself fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A third from London." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I have it here in my museum." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may ready to-morrow?' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I was concerned in it." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the cigar and let me expound." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at call it cruel." "No more words. Get out!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my reach." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Your presence might be invaluable." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Yes, I promise.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I had a long day." "You think so, too?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem was lame." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 for its centre. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Then he might have called to you?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, security.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when