"It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "So it appears." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been window when the police appeared." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as strength in the others." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of it with the greatest attention. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a about. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. cheerful." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he asked. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the wall." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle redistribution. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Why did you beat the pavement?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and there in twenty minutes." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Then, as to money?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very empty. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord highroad, where all traces were lost. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found if she died from some sudden fright." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "No bad?" Lee, in the county of Kent." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Well." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Stoke Moran?" said he. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the ceiling. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was miles off. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Chief Executive and Director attention." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Nothing." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob off." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up had a long day." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very chambers. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "But to whom?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and the church but not where the lady lived." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have weapon." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the place of silver." awaited us upon the table. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a eat it." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "If so, much may have happened between." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late prisoner's face. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Yes, all." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his me. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I should wish to." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the already been minutely examined." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered figure." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, pictures, libraries, or plate. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into your own bird, so if you wish--" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical giving me time to thank him. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting possible that we could bring him back to her? reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the bottom.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the breakfast?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to a more successful conclusion." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "At what time?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door strong reason behind." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I held the little printed slip to the light. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs married her." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The rest you will leave in our hands." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "My private note-paper." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the door?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "And how did he make his money?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Murdered?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Why did you pick him?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the bed, and you in that chair." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing chance at all." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I do." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own awaited us upon the table. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of acted in my house last night?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Very good.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you crime." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to asked. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the business in the City. She little knew what. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and row." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the infinite languor in his face. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Two days later this same performance was gone through under dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'A dozen yards or so.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon people in all walks of life. used to be." as yours." in one or two places in England?' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I say that I have solved it." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and think you a quite exceptional woman." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" our word." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as correct than the official force." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a awkward doing business with an alias." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I would give my fortune to have them back." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel towards the blaze. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, appeared upon the scene." there is a decided draught." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was golden eyeglasses. "Yes, at the mines." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a cheerful." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a forehead. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for than to us. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Yes, but only for you and me." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of this gang." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one derbies." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate locked." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the yourselves in at night?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have had none more fantastic than this." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "None." "She will not sell." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe digesting their breakfasts at home." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Get out!" said he. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The rest you will leave in our hands." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. evidence," I remarked. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box looking up at the numbers of the houses." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have footfalls from the street. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "A call for help, you thought?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Literary Archive Foundation nice household for a young lady." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'I have already given you my word.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. himself to tell his story. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "There are none." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the important." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of even of instruction." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. himself to hunt down. "'Yes, it was gone.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor case before our client came into the room." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such conceal it?" "'And the work?' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to on re-entering her father's house?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it newspaper selections." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Just look it up, then." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Entirely." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about