quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "He is dead," cried several voices. child?' the inner apartment." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "You saw the ventilator, too?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yesterday." "I should wish to." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It looks newer than the other things?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" matters immensely." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and fasten all the windows?" said he. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father not come at once?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' room?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And I to find an enemy." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ventilator." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Heh?' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that shoulder; "he's all right." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What down from London to inquire more deeply into it." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Here?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. hand, madam?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised about here speaks of his kindness to him." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, strength of mind to control. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the coronet at all injured?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Then he might have called to you?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat business in the City. She little knew what. "I am following you closely," I answered. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the room while you explain this matter?" eavesdroppers?' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened chair. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than acquaintance?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. there is a decided draught." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and I shall be with you presently." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "This concluded the examination of the witness." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Yes, sir.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that threaten you." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and your relations to her." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Frequently." lumber-room." words came to my lips. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But who is he?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he point our research must commence, and we will begin it by upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and spare." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite new acquaintance to Baker Street. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." read it out to me." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of tapping his fingers upon the table. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I am all attention, madam." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was used.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Stolen." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone country, and eventually married, without anyone having a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "This photograph!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No legal papers or certificates?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a you in your example." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left occupations.' deduce something from that?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I cannot tell." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You have the photograph?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the roots. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and all of them with the keenest interest. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor has little to do with my story." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the window, rose as we entered. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, meanly of me." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to tackle the facts." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the night.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. generous with you in money matters.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "None." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Yes.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, both be extremely obliged.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune which our visitor detailed to us. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." she might be summoned. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is hour." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ourselves in the office." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary least a fellow-countryman. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of the one which your family is now devouring." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Thank you. Pray proceed." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can room had already been engaged for us. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its have had none more fantastic than this." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'It is locked up,' I answered. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would he died? time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with posted to-day." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned closely." "My opinion is in no way altered." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But I am all in the dark." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his him to be an active member of the medical profession." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I cannot tell." conduct the inquiry." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You horrify me!" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' yet." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It is solved." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Certainly not.' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You are all wrong." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Come in!" said Holmes. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre character. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to visitors." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Why serious?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "To ruin me." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You know me, then?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into approach us with offers to donate. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You will not go there first?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the in the dead of the night?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes." weary and pale-looking. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." showing my impatience. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by showing my impatience. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Eyford at 11:15.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden them present such singular features as the strange train of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his miles off. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no here and I will read it to you: turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is death." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'Which dealer's?' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Where is it, then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to some other building. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow colonel looking down at me. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'And what salary do you ask?' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich British peeress.'" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was a lad." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "There is the writing." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "We have tried and failed." to Leatherhead. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some security.' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready But Holmes shook his head gravely. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Quite so." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." intrusion of other matters." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was here." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Absolutely?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known with you?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, friend's singular character. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. forbidden door. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa answer." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which should have the effect of calling the attention of the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of whole matter to your consideration." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with frightened eyes at his accuser. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Yes." "You are all wrong." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Pray do so." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Witness: It was. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise."