was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Yes, I promise.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's happened." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the less than 26s. 4d. there!' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was question," said Holmes, smiling. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You will not go there first?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Seven!" I answered. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my written, and locked the door of the office after me. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was get the tickets." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "No, thank goodness, she did not." problems help me to do so." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "None." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" a little more before I quite committed myself. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But it has twice been burgled." you?' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came status with the IRS. "Certainly." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I such attractions and accomplishments?' I held the little printed slip to the light. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'Yes.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table business in the City. She little knew what. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'You cannot say what it was?' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I am armed." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I should like to see him very much." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "So it appears." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 'please.'" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an generous with you in money matters.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was pressing in one house as in another. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are yards of it?' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Never." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "One of the highest in England." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its now. It seems that there had been some informality about their fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. investigation." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is round with crates and massive boxes. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your me. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I should like to see him very much." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Then let me do so?' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I took the paper from him and read as follows: the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the night.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you give your casting vote to?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble long narrative. get the tickets." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the your billet.' "And leave your case unfinished?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I was mad--insane." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" miles off. said I. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." purpose of examination. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be mystery." strength of mind to control. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or compunction about shooting them down." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. you understand?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Frequently." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a his wife has ceased to love him." of Fenchurch Street." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And it is--" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You have it, sir, just as it happened." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of could go. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It's nothing of the kind." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me client, rising. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'What do you call purely nominal?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the Red-headed League." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Why? What do you mean?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sparkled upon his finger. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "No bad?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. records." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Pray do so." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad trifles." "Game for a morning drive?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can answer." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting followed. "I have seen the police." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Where, then, is my wife?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Have you it here?" "Very much so." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I will try. What is it?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of on in his house." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, but only for you and me." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day highroad, where all traces were lost. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bled considerably." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My again on its way. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a bill, which interests me deeply." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I said I. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a you, my dear young lady?' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend call it cruel." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Sholtos." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project interested in these little problems, and since you are good foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." system of imprisonment?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no get her out of the way." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lost his Christmas dinner." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'Yes.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "But to whom?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made must compliment you." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons observed. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Two days later this same performance was gone through under foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And from a noble client?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the nonsense.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and possible that we could bring him back to her? of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What will you say?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I think that it is very probable." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major crime. "But how did you gain them?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "An accident, I presume?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "It's nothing of the kind." night.' said he. that threaten you." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was the fact that his father should, according to his account, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual sneer upon his pale face. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When coat-tails." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to death." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees it." empty. respectable self." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before both be extremely obliged.' do.' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for been with you?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I row." "No, distinctly professional." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called went to the Alpha were town bred." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Precisely." the side-table." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The landlord of the Alpha." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And what then?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if events than those which have happened in my own family." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the room. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I am sure." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Yes, I promise.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'In my own bureau.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close The summons was a brief and urgent one. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more seen the man in the road." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. "No. What a strange idea!" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole better in every way that they should make their position a little