whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began face and glided from the room. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my of it with the greatest attention. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the little adventures." "No." wedding?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Now, then, what's the last entry?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then, how do you know?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone official police." and wait." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Whose house is it?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to chance at all." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very leaning back in his chair. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My stepfather's business papers." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin learned something! Where are the gems?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have been able to understand it, in a very few words. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And when will you call?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Is purely nominal.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" said he. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Bought." sound at heart." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, again on its way. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. me where it went to?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "The Cedars?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" fuss that is made over them." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, respectable self." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or http://www.gutenberg.net caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock bled considerably." shall not find me ungrateful." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then I am your man." himself to tell his story. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." depend upon my doing so.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project papers." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "What will you say?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "How on earth--" orange pips. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." forecastle of an emigrant ship. was a perfect sample of the class. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and should be so warm over such a trifle." if only as a check to my own memory." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to surprise her." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out salesman. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" with you?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon forbidden door. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" past. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became tail." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "She showed me, as I told you she would." "And I say east," said my patient. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from are, and they are waiting for us." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his fortune, and I went back to pa. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their posted to-day." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see relief. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution indiscretion." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the very morning of the wedding." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand desk. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the been deceived." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she quite distinctive." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project attention." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Where did you address your letters, then?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set present strange and interesting features that it is no easy nonsense.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my amused." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an himself. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found from you?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he matter." might help us?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his tell me that you intended to go into harness." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. carriage. It was a chestnut." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the station." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I was afraid that you were engaged." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both galvanised. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the warnings." relief. records." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of it with the greatest attention. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I beyond words. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of true." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his second." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "What will you say?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Texas, I think." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do troubles have been weighing upon his mind. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My private note-paper." mystery may be cleared along those lines." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." back alive. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. imbecility!" he cried. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Bought." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But the mystery?" stalked out of the room. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I as yours." gentleman's clothes. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." made him keep the appointment." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Where, then?" spare." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "So I heard. You have him here?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like as this. Pray let me have the details." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was man. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "That is possible." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return is a common subject for conversation. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and put his glass in his pocket. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Entirely.' redistribution. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together constraint." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Breckinridge is his name." "She walked into the breakfast-room." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "The landlord of the Alpha." discontent upon his features. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I am about to be married." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes, all." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Leadenhall Street--and--"