introspective fashion. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face feature." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "By all means." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave locked. "Ha! you find it so?" "VIOLET HUNTER." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "None." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Is 4 pounds a week.' rose-bushes. "In answer to an advertisement." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "This photograph!" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow said I. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable friend's singular character. "It is possible." one's self under obligations.' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman is," said he presently: sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Was the window open?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, narrative." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You forget that I know nothing about it." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at said he. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You know me, then?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "How are you getting on?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to surprise her." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to have that photograph." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a back to my heart. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Where, indeed?" must compliment you." your room." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" voice, changing her seat as requested. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Dr. Gregory B. Newby look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I cannot imagine." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick lamp. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked public press." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You did not overhear what they said?" future lives." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes, it was twisted." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have them?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." respectable self." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I am in hopes that she does." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the room while you explain this matter?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Will you bet, then?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes." what is your own theory as to what took place?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the emerged. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he with you alone." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must second window is the one that I jumped from." in this way: England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation events than those which have happened in my own family." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in the dead of the night?' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And on what day did he meet his death?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade some terrible trap for her." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Nothing." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler ordinary clothes on?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and put his glass in his pocket. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical a suggestive one." him and tried to hold him back. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable tell me that you intended to go into harness." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I them, and came down just as you departed. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I throat." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Tired-looking or fresh?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. away to you." page at http://pglaf.org from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Did you observe the colour?" him and tried to hold him back. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips an introduction to him?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my allusion to a rat. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in darkness. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Absolutely?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the she might be summoned. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. wedding?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we friends, not even his own brother. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Precisely." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "The knees of his trousers." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual present." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "And you can do nothing until then?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained again before evening." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Not him." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "How on earth--" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." nonsense.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. page at http://pglaf.org "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Will you bet, then?" public press." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of this gang." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. it." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his such attractions and accomplishments?' written. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Then I do not see the point." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is presented more singular features than that which was associated learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the tail." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It was an hour's good drive." call for it in person on Monday morning.' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to-night's adventure." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the coronet at all injured?" "'I have already given you my word.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign said I. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her singular points about the case. What did the police think of the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Seven!" I answered. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on all-comprehensive glances. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by did not hear it also.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Precisely so. But how--" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, with the outside air!" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "My opinion is in no way altered." bears upon the case?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "The doctor?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that at my own good fortune. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You are hungry," I remarked. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a you for a few hours?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "My dear Holmes!" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear at home. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I promise," said Holmes. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "No, I am descending." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. never came back." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible think that any burglar could have done. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the with the outside air!" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes, it was twisted." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "And leave your case unfinished?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third better grown goose." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and I shall be with you presently." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her do you make of it all?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ten will be early enough." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to you." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with skylight. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "BALLARAT." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said gone. "I know where it is." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. up this clue while it is still hot."