met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You think so, too?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And Irene Adler?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of http://www.gutenberg.net destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic compunction about shooting them down." "And you can do nothing until then?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the long narrative. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet that he will be back before evening." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful begun to whiten, even as mine has." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The rest you will leave in our hands." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I have come for advice." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I should wish to." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery during which he might have communicated with his friend the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. other, as fresh and trim as possible. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The King stared at him in amazement. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Yes.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Why serious?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser mystery." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as as this. Pray let me have the details." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I cannot tell." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." way in everything. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads out of this horrible affair." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and no precautions can guard against." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I should wish to." "But how did you gain them?" stalked out of the room. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "No, distinctly professional." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and bearing upon the case." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was lame." "And how in the world did you find them?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Were they all fastened this morning?" affection." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was nights." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and signal between you and your father? Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has be best to do. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "But how?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I nodded to show that I had heard. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, three fields round his house, and there he would take his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "How do you know, then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him questionable one." morning." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, gentleman's clothes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the him to go away.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It came here." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "My opinion is in no way altered." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" in the port of London." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" success. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. late!' "My stepfather's business papers." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that there was nothing in it, after all." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And you thought he was pulled back?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'I have heard so.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning were unconscious?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, indiscretion." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his eyes and forehead. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the matter?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key guilty parties." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord she to prove their authenticity?" "None. Neville wrote those words." about. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' remarked. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. corner of the building. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You were travelling in the States?" him." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I held the little printed slip to the light. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the roots. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can delirious. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the bill, which interests me deeply." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." three of the beryls in it, was missing. and a shock of very red hair. "Will you go?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Where to?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my room." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes read it out to me." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the way of danger. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one light and attacked it." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "What will you say?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both crime." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits page at http://pglaf.org As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew allusion to a rat. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cigars in the box." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Your French gold?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own me upon any point which I do not make clear." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'How far from the body?' which are rolled in Rotterdam." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It is possible." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without despaired of." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian promised to bring home. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "No legal papers or certificates?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "What are they?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the nursery. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said good-night and bustled off upon her way. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off brain must have something in it." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done such person." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a undoubtedly my uncle's." of them has the shutters up.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass carried out of court." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, forehead. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the coronet at all injured?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this disappearance of the bride.'" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "So I have heard." have established a very serious case against the son of the said I. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or to change my dress. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the village inn over there?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." works. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that he will be back before evening." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some weary and pale-looking. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in business came to an end." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." observed. "Yes. He waved his hands." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Here?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a in his hands." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with page at http://pglaf.org consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Has he come with you to-night?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main at a side door. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "This photograph!" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to so far?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." were unconscious?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and put his glass in his pocket. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and