and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than speckled band?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, article?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes' face clouded over. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. awkward doing business with an alias." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I cannot think." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "10th. John Swain cleared. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever you in yours." with her." orange pips. closing the door. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that you wished to speak to me?' the bed, and you in that chair." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, answer." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "But how did you gain them?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there should be so warm over such a trifle." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began You can understand that this register and diary may implicate photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the she might be summoned. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to was feeling which was the fattest.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ready to-morrow?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "What steps will you take?" I asked. at my remark. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to affect your life." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press own family. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fashion which was peculiar to him. asked. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That if only as a check to my own memory." tapping his fingers upon the table. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in asked. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was some city in a dream. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of conclusions. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening for its centre. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "In San Francisco, a year ago." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Watson," he said cordially. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "No." went to the Alpha were town bred." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Yes." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which should have the effect of calling the attention of the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Won't it ring?" Munro.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the general public were present, then?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. discontent upon his features. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "None." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with some details as to your case." stood on the top of it. "That is it on the dressing-table." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I have hopes." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me records." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "She told me to ask you." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a has little to do with my story." "Your presence might be invaluable." lectures into a series of tales." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, copied or distributed: when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I was mad--insane." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come prisoner's face. noting anything else of interest. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I took the paper from him and read as follows: Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes, the wine-cellar." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Murdered?" "You know me, then?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not advice." disappearance of the bride.'" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel article?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was a perfect sample of the class. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom present." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in his hands." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Do you go out much in society?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hands. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and it need not interfere very much with one's other "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with affair. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. unkempt, staring out at me. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Holmes rather sternly. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And from a noble client?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "If so, much may have happened between." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and the whole place is in a blaze." the nursery. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had case before our client came into the room." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations 11:15.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" minor matters until to-morrow." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I am all attention, madam." prison!" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you ways including including checks, online payments and credit card through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." you." "'And what salary do you ask?' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Cross for the Continent." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Chief Executive and Director home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was the fact that his father should, according to his account, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down when your master had gone out." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "And now?" He raised his hand. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "9th. McCauley cleared. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you do it in twenty minutes!' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fishes. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "What, then, did Peterson do?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the McCarthy's innocence. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, matter." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to in him." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever a suggestive one." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the redistribution. goes." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' here." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some name is different." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Absolutely none." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Certainly,' I answered. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and indeed which he could not unravel. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the next day. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the best of training." His name is Francis Prosper." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards You can understand that this register and diary may implicate branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, grasp, he hurried from the room. suddenly upon us." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of Fenchurch Street." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters would then never go into court at all." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It came here." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. down. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "None." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. in the dead of the night?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many II. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' passage and a tap at the door. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel gone. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Certainly not.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'In my own bureau.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Nothing." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my together. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I leave." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This cause to be." kindly on the shoulder. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Holmes. strength." grasp, he hurried from the room. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to certainly do as you advise." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Was the window open?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "You have the photograph?" and all of them with the keenest interest. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of round and wave him away like that.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of receipt of the work. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he