guilty parties." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he despaired of." "It is true that I have been generally successful." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business for and were ordered to this address. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw outsides of the windows. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to take care of herself." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong had died away into the silence from which it rose. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "How about poison?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hurried away. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. face and glided from the room. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I once more. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On His smile broadened. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I chance at all." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "9th. McCauley cleared. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' back into the street. approach us with offers to donate. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned throat." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but trifles." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of receipt of the work. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. people in all walks of life. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down information in his hands the value of which he did not himself manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge became a certainty. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the King without delay." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little she might be summoned. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'You cannot say what it was?' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in my life." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Then I shall certainly come." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. these bleak autumnal evenings." signal between you and your father? works. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss remarked. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has way in everything. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Was the window open?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. records." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You know me, then?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "My stepfather's business papers." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be envelope. towards the blaze. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "But she will refuse." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt on in his house." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was shining brightly. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And from a noble client?" quite distinctive." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no least a most suspicious remark." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "One of the highest in England." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." stood on the top of it. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "My opinion is in no way altered." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might just ask you whether you had heard it.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling weigh very heavily upon my conscience." easy-going way." matter." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather fear." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "But to whom?" "You were travelling in the States?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of than to us. placed his cuttings. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, cigars in their mouths. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as been with you?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his knees, staring into the fire. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a yet." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic strength." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to will take you up to see the machine.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert may never be exposed to such a temptation." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker visitors." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his new duties?' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I nodded again. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" as the one I chose?' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the salesman. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. window when the police appeared." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was afraid that you were engaged." a suggestive one." stalked out of the room. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his started for the Temple to see my husband. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to DISSOLVED. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "This concluded the examination of the witness." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew voice, changing her seat as requested. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I will get her to show me." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." unprecedented a position." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently said he. "Pray continue your narrative." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "He is dead," cried several voices. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Dirty?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt telegram would bring me down to your help." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You have but to name it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "We were both in the photograph." if only as a check to my own memory." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wanted for ourselves." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the must compliment you." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I cannot tell." always that they were such commands as a lady might with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only should be taken.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Henry Baker is a member." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the man. I know him from the photograph." "Not him." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of copied or distributed: conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the colonel ushered me in. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the floor. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the one as in the other." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in row." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different his knees, staring into the fire. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an undoubtedly my uncle's." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'I shall certainly be there.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Where could I find him?' go from here to the Strand." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "What shall I do?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "That's no good." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, never came back." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I am still in the dark." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. observed. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of receipt of the work. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of it with the greatest attention. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "He disappeared so suddenly." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, his huge brown hands. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes, certainly." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable one of the states of the Union." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, me. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual