beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." had this final quarrel? "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high photograph a cabinet?" "And Miss Sutherland?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" existence." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw straighten it?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all time." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: ourselves in the office." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. detained." "Where did you address your letters, then?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wanted for ourselves." this unhappy family?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, at a side door. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Lee, in the county of Kent." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Chief Executive and Director His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much them, and came down just as you departed. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. whole matter to your consideration." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of article?" "Then I am your man." over part of the map. "What do you read?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Your French gold?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the retorted upon me, and I on you." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant future lives." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's this as likely?" read over the extraordinary announcement. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot her also." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Have you good authority for what you say?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her her also." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'What would be the hours?' I asked. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "About a month then." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Then, how do you know?" over here." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shall not find me ungrateful." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled do you make of it all?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "So I heard. You have him here?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads new acquaintance to Baker Street. the inquest, and which are worth considering." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Not particularly." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here present." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round beyond words. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Doctor, of the paper and the date." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there outbreak?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, the wine-cellar." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Dr. Gregory B. Newby unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And your father? Did you tell him?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to did not hear it also.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The note was undated, and without either signature or address. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "How did you trace it, then?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew him to go away.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it right.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly away into the river." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I nodded to show that I had heard. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn place no limit on the sum I may draw." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I beg pardon." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin thin legs towards the fire. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and have an American origin." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond shall use the carriage to-night." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, the wine-cellar." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between side. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. interests were the same as his." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was when your master had gone out." of this gang." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up do.' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "At half-wages, in fact." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as companion. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the foresight and the moral retrogression?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence feature." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never garden below. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was mystery!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in the dead of the night?' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Her father is very rich?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near compunction about shooting them down." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as yours." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you row." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What not fit the lock." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "He said too much." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing furiously. hurried by. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler arrested. You then--" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you outside." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It came here." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Clair, of Lee." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Never." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "She will not sell." Surrey." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Look there!" said he. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with annoyance, but no jest. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Imitated." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And now?" I asked. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But his lameness?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Imitated." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for burst out into a roar of laughter. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously third from London." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. tied." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a conceal it?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, feature." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, some hundreds of times." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. rose-bushes. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "What! Had he lost his wife?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as he remarks, very much against the son." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the there!' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded III. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Henry Baker is a member." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been legal crime." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in few hundred pounds.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to-night?" I asked. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I say it is." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Does that suggest anything?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so chemical work which was so dear to him. stalked out of the room. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "That sounds a little paradoxical." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Really! You surprise me." matters immensely." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of What do you deduce from it?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "What office?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should see me here to avoid scandal." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, nights." "By no means." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, the wine-cellar." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds her also." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner stood on the top of it. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Won't it ring?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I am sure." "It missed him, then?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And what did you learn from him?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little annoyance, but no jest. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It is his hat." enter into my head. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which was all perfectly true. "I have a cab outside." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all knowledge of the world." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a it with his own hands." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, digesting their breakfasts at home." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical