"When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "No, I had a dozen." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." to me. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What do you make of that, Watson?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Have you it here?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But she could not love him." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What, then, did Peterson do?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fear." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his papers on the sundial.'" "I fear not." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fuss that is made over them." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project call for it in person on Monday morning.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Always." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Is he quiet?" assist you in forming an opinion." of a light. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It was." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of business matters.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fuss that is made over them." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the Red-headed League." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very sake, don't!" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you carpenter." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hereditary King of Bohemia." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the side-table." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "We must have a cab." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I assure you that I am in your hands." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he heavily into it. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further eavesdroppers?' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my case before our client came into the room." approach us with offers to donate. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I am about to be married." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can me, and I could not think that his explanation of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ago." purpose equally well?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'How far from the body?' astonishment. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly is so. I know all about McCarthy." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I know where it is." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his brandy and water within his reach. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is The summons was a brief and urgent one. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable intimate personal affairs in this public manner." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the empty. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of his shoulders. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'It is locked up,' I answered. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered awaited us upon the table. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a system of imprisonment?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Never." "By all means." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the him." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the will not take me long to tell. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He despair." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You know me, then?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you soul! here is her carriage at the door." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes, at the mines." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Heh?' difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem my friend's incisive reasoning. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." "Absolutely none." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the presented more singular features than that which was associated "I assure you that I am in your hands." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some wanted for ourselves." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Then let me do so?' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The landlord of the Alpha." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I think that I had better go, Holmes." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that, and I came down." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I answered with a sidelong glance. "I will get her to show me." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." business matters.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." DAMAGE. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Does that suggest anything?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "You have the photograph?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Deserted you?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you?' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to-night." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so with frightened eyes at his accuser. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the station." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "My last client of the sort was a king." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Then I can wait in the next room." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Certainly not.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside papers on the sundial.'" "I answered that I had not. "This photograph!" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then the page we have seen--" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon strong reason behind." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "To an end?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he interest. They are important, you understand, without being not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much along the entire front of the house, with three long windows as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from the brougham. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "And for present expenses?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You have it, sir, just as it happened." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Oh, no.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." whether it answered to the description of any of their once more. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I closing the door. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Texas, I think." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And the cigar-holder?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need useful material for showing traces. The double line a little my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself their singular warning or token before them when starting upon years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view awkward doing business with an alias." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey me. You must get home instantly and act." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his garden below. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Just look it up, then." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Whose house is it?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "In San Francisco, a year ago." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Yes.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the bed, and you in that chair." "Why serious?" fire. You quite follow me?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a events than those which have happened in my own family." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. whether it answered to the description of any of their self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "That is unusual in a young girl." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses could not account in any way for the presence of the missing endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the morning and make my own way in the world.' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the dramatic, in fact." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And that is--" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square again." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, is," said he presently: "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything for securing the situation." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry interested in these little problems, and since you are good "He slept on the premises." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought this poor creature." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the footfalls from the street. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, bled considerably." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, ashen face. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I was certainly surprised to find you there." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "How did that help you?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" think that he is innocent?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well?" minor matters until to-morrow." tied." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the