or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they You can understand that this register and diary may implicate would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were unconscious?" murdered man." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon thin, with a long, sharp nose?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." in the dead of the night?' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "9th. McCauley cleared. "Texas, I think." way in everything. several quiet little villages up there." cost them two and thirty pounds." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence heavy and sharp instrument." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless already been minutely examined." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of be. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to some other building. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "How did you trace it, then?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He might." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "About a month then." distinguish the words: mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Tell me all about it,' said I. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for pictures, libraries, or plate. here and I will read it to you: in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are shoulder. whole matter to your consideration." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Of Friday, June 19th." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Who by?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Certainly not.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hair?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and name is different." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Count Von Kramm." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil vanished into the darkness. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the station." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Will you go?" Street. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I was sure that I might rely on you." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, all?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon said he. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Doctor, of the paper and the date." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Miss Holder?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was used.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "How did you trace it, then?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide four million human beings all jostling each other within the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And when will you call?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Why serious?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" present." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have I gained?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head invisible to me," I remarked. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. It may be so in this case, also." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I am still in the dark." "So it appears." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that shoulder. beg that you will break it off." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "How did that help you?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "My private note-paper." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The vanishing of the lady." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'Ample.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a you in your example." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Then how many are there?" the dangers which encompass me." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And did you observe any change in her then?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own entirely devoid of interest." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "How did that help you?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And is that all?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But where we are going." "Just look it up, then." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he open." plantation.' must compliment you." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on unprecedented a position." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the arrangements." main points of my analysis." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No, but the enclosure is." in his hands." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you papers on the sundial.'" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to national property. I was determined that the law should have its purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I warn you that they are very incomplete." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the tragedy. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the John Swain, of St. Augustine. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." best detective that ever lived. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her grasp, he hurried from the room. "But the mystery?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of But Holmes shook his head gravely. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I think that it is very probable." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I am about to be married." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "And for present expenses?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You are all wrong." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the strength." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had a long day." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A presume?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "We were both in the photograph." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Witness: It was. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It missed him, then?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" think that he is innocent?" IS new acquaintance to Baker Street. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the throat." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "May I see it?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of it with the greatest attention. "The murder was done with it." weary and pale-looking. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a what is your own theory as to what took place?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person His name is Francis Prosper." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which we had just quitted. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised gentleman's clothes. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over him and tried to hold him back. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of digesting their breakfasts at home." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in him." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "A call for help, you thought?" him. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." could not have written that. It is the German who is so very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive believe that I should never have any practice at all. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing be. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after door?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of the one which your family is now devouring." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "But his lameness?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I think that it is very probable." "My own seal." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a following enigmatical notices: the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing IS a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man not come at once?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a is worth.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a something of him before." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon this unhappy family?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "He said that you could solve anything." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Perfectly so." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And how?" chamber." "Yes. He waved his hands." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You gone. official police." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it miles off. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria place of silver." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." pierced for earrings?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Yes, sir." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "So I am. Very much so." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And is that all?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are desk. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it morning." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were wanted for ourselves." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one so.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, gone. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand."