down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy house for five minutes.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It missed him, then?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Then, as to money?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I will do it." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the matter." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the address that was given us in the advertisement. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you ago." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, know all about it," he snarled. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I have my revolver," said I. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But you have hopes?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out child?' "But how did you gain them?" suddenly upon us." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless his forehead." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well." light and attacked it." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, better in every way that they should make their position a little reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an rose-bushes. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Precisely." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned washing it down with a long draught of water. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's think, you have already met." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an me." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a suggestive one." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fuss that is made over them." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room know all about it," he snarled. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. about. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the window, rose as we entered. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Not social, then?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Holmes' room. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone plantation.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "What office?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the quickly through a disagreeable task. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "It is his hat." he bowed and left the room without another word. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Then he might have called to you?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. investigation." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I shall continue with my miserable story. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few were wasted." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "You think so, too?" existence." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my from the brougham. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying me, and I could not think that his explanation of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right think that any burglar could have done. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as he remarks, very much against the son." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the ceiling. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my rose-bushes. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a danger is over." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'How far from the body?' "You did not overhear what they said?" "And how in the world did you find them?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It was." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The gentleman I describe." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Never.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I cannot imagine." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "My dear Holmes!" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holmes. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I wedding?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Where does the thing come from?' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send chair. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I leave." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I shall continue with my miserable story. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "What of the rat, then?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. him!" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "How are you getting on?" like that before?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not indeed happy." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Will you bet, then?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the matter." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of a light. "Then what has happened to him?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I will try. What is it?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I should like to see him very much." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Entirely." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong done what I asked you, Jones?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately before, for it was considerably after midnight. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I have seen the police." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of friend's singular character. could not have written that. It is the German who is so she has been waylaid. There has been no result." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection despaired of." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "What, then, did Peterson do?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. The events in question occurred in the early days of my she to prove their authenticity?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fatally injured? American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed opened the door, and slipped through. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And the murderer?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "A confidential servant?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "No, I had a dozen." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an discontent upon his features. future lives." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this tapping his fingers upon the table. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head friend's singular character. horse could go." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Were they all fastened this morning?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some directors, with the result that you have seen." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And that is--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "To an English lawyer named Norton." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And I." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it were putty." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his golden eyeglasses. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "From his hat?" taking in every detail of the apartment. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you when your master had gone out." "He might." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The summons was a brief and urgent one. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which are rolled in Rotterdam." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You were travelling in the States?" "It was." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. outbreak?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that threaten you." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'And the work?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I friends, not even his own brother. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his you do it in twenty minutes!' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my photograph a cabinet?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora vanished into the darkness. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hurried away. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish she slowly sank and died without having recovered her although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a felt the room to be a little close.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the coronet in his hand?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "To an English lawyer named Norton." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Pray do so." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "But it has twice been burgled." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER his huge brown hands. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Leave Paddington by the 11:15." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a name is different." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." answer." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, business at Coburg Square is serious." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily me have 200 pounds?' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "If so, much may have happened between." business?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in carriage. It was a chestnut." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, nights." be. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I answered that I had not. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, but China?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line she used." call it cruel." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and no precautions can guard against." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hopeless attempt at recovering them." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between him nearly every evening." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the villagers almost as much as their master. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been tail." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project