"'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You chamber." strength." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and the colonel ushered me in. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Never to return." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an 1.F. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "But we can't all be." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was used.' out." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Never,' said I. Street. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." do.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what never came back." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid head. So long, then!" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the as the one I chose?' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! straighten it?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I guessed as much." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "So it appears." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from your equipment. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just forbidden door. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Won't it ring?" nonsense.' time." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent in this way: him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with too. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And when will you call?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in gigantic client. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the so-precious time, but come!' deduce something from that?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return was shining brightly. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague man. I know him from the photograph." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No, my brougham is waiting." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to presume?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have meanly of me." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then I do not see the point." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It was an hour's good drive." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And now?" He raised his hand. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "9th. McCauley cleared. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover your own bird, so if you wish--" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not death." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that there was nothing in it, after all." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as is so. I know all about McCarthy." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sofa. This way, please!" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "What! You do not mean bodies?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those narrative." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my me. You must get home instantly and act." "It came here." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I nodded to show that I had heard. to a light-house. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I am all attention, madam." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "My dear Holmes!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Very much so." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began it. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. morning." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to awaited us upon the table. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the his grey eyes. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "How on earth--" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But what harm can there be in that?" "You think that he is dead?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project asked. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to talk it over. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man head. So long, then!" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a heavy and sharp instrument." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with you alone." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and advice." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. directly by questioning you." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "He is dead," cried several voices. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite attention." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Precisely so. But how--" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not answered with a sidelong glance. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the very letters. But what is this written above them?' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "And what did you see?" I am not easy in my mind about them." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the legal crime." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further not, dad?" she asked. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "My Mary? Impossible!" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." corner of the building. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Certainly,' I answered. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to his chemical studies. easy-going way." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What is it?" shoulder; "he's all right." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a so.' it." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "What then?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for distinguish the words: head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Is purely nominal.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Why that?' I asks. which was all perfectly true. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And help." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was himself. "Then you may entirely rely on me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight get her out of the way." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "So I heard. You have him here?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" weapon." "Yes. He waved his hands." away into the river." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise acquaintance?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." asked. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked himself. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there before the coroner and the police-court." distinguish the words: "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Then you may entirely rely on me." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself my special province." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or out." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of respectable self." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "And who is her maid?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, chemical work which was so dear to him. rat could hardly pass through." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "None." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I hands. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I say it is." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. his grey eyes. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able but preventing her from injuring another. careless servant girl?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on IS directly by questioning you." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" morning." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to whole matter to your consideration." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there lamp. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "But you can know nothing of this?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of business in the City. She little knew what. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a maid will bring up your coffee." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." have one." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary closing the door. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" long narrative. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Where is it, then?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. present." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. do.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the persecution?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'There is a drive, then?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from been." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and have this put in the evening papers." Arthur Conan Doyle beyond words. "I have my revolver," said I. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Never." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then