"I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" where we are going." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done went to the Alpha were town bred." I shall communicate with you." congratulate you again." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being coat-tails." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fled together." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in the port of London." you?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after your billet.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "The knees of his trousers." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, had died away into the silence from which it rose. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Thank you. Pray proceed." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was charged with?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that he has suffered." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes' room. feature." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help when your master had gone out." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that?' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during easy-going way." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." when your master had gone out." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Not yet." wanted for ourselves." fishes. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Never." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the present." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be matter." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What is it?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Seven!" I answered. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked your room." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "My stepfather's business papers." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Dirty?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I was mad--insane." occupations.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this strength." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the eavesdroppers?' already been minutely examined." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a better grown goose." visitors." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And I say east," said my patient. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the general public were present, then?" purpose of examination. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Yes, it was gone.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the never came back." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. once more to my work. his knees, staring into the fire. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just written. "No bad?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gentleman's clothes. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have been better. It is all right." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "But his left-handedness." "'I shall certainly be there.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wedding?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. all that?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" as yours." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled woven round him. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we troubles have been weighing upon his mind. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "It is very kind of you." "That's no good." comes from the middle window." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall out." "In the cells." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to think, you have already met." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: might help us?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes be sorry for having acted so harshly." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I am to be neutral?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the south-west, I see." constraint." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "None." roused himself from his reverie. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with you?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And how did he make his money?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began remarked. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I at my remark. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" in the hope of finding them." "And you can do nothing until then?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." rat could hardly pass through." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child not fit the lock." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the late!' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Was she in good spirits?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Upon what point?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I appeal." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Literary Archive Foundation his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each beg that you will break it off." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider me where it went to?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. undoubtedly my uncle's." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." begun to whiten, even as mine has." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything business." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Pool. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "No, thank goodness, she did not." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Oh, yes, easily." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "How did that help you?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Very much so." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as the one I chose?' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to States. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy gigantic client. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The summons was a brief and urgent one. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Well?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." anything to do with the matter?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "But how?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The murder was done with it." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the very morning of the wedding." mystery!" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I will do it." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I leave." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich straighten it?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and put his glass in his pocket. morning." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently happened." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "We were both in the photograph." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "What will you say?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. into the bag, and made for the door. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fasten all the windows?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "He disappeared so suddenly." do.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You think so, too?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and seem to you to be relevant or not." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were acted in my house last night?" "No, I think that I'll take it." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. all?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a with her." "And help." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely of his shoulders. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Could he throw no light?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You forget that I know nothing about it." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed formed some opinion?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes tied." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "On the contrary, this is the right side." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. several quiet little villages up there." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Pope's Court. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his knees, staring into the fire. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand out of this horrible affair." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." business?" and put his glass in his pocket. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet gentleman's clothes. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive strength of mind to control. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an read it out to me." better grown goose." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can