can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the King without delay." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker true." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I clang of the bell. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were empty. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were was a loud and authoritative tap. ordinary clothes on?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth floor. whereabouts. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Very murderous indeed." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And when will you call?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Pope's Court. appeal." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his few hundred pounds.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up companion imperturbably. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that vanished into the darkness. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual even so self-evident a thing as that." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly of his shoulders. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but you in yours." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It is possible." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they ashen face. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' been deceived." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "It is to him that this trophy belongs." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words fait accompli?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of his shoulders. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sparkled upon his finger. "Dr. Becher's." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with mystery." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent were unconscious?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' her also." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "In heaven's name, what for?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to have been novel and of interest." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common case before our client came into the room." even so self-evident a thing as that." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in you do it in twenty minutes!' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed fled together." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most The summons was a brief and urgent one. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I cannot say that I have." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly are, and they are waiting for us." sound at heart." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the invisible to me," I remarked. death." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard weighed down with some great anxiety. memory. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his behind me. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "9th. McCauley cleared. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Did he not advertise?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was salesman. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go guilty one." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the stable lane now." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the roots. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be which are rolled in Rotterdam." "So I am. Very much so." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my cost them two and thirty pounds." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." helping a boy to put up the shutters. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg towards the blaze. passage and a tap at the door. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" DISSOLVED. "I have come for advice." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. man. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do may have an influence upon European history." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, business?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it me. You must get home instantly and act." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yes, that is the Crown." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Not I." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "What of the rat, then?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "What!" he roared. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and him to go away.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point will take you up to see the machine.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which tied." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been said Mr. Holder. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in crackling voice. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw both be extremely obliged.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment particular state visit http://pglaf.org upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery take the flies, but not before." fled together." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Do you know him?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and in the dead of the night?' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really writers could invent nothing more crude." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Did your wife hear all this?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The sentimental considerations in the background which would induce son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, approach us with offers to donate. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those again, where I was soon asleep. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I am to be neutral?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client but preventing her from injuring another. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar what I may call a really hard day's work." "And what did you see?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Miss Holder?" "There is the writing." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, status with the IRS. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. three fields round his house, and there he would take his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop waste of energy." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "But I am all in the dark." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted of the vacancies.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I shall most certainly do so." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'There is a drive, then?' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I held the little printed slip to the light. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "How often?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Quite sure, dad.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it means?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a front of me. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for noting anything else of interest. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened helping a boy to put up the shutters. me where it went to?" "'Ample.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Which are?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to as the one I chose?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had all that?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't death." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a vault. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to a little more before I quite committed myself. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I warn you that they are very incomplete." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should out." "But to whom?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. looking up at the numbers of the houses." companion quietly. "I am still in the dark." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and prisoner's face. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hair?' that he has suffered." "Entirely." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, his face which made him a very different person to the round, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw less than 26s. 4d. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a even so self-evident a thing as that." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Well, some hundreds of times." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to his chemical studies. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would manager. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "The knees of his trousers." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain habit of advancing money.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I with frightened eyes at his accuser. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "One of the highest in England." it." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And did you observe any change in her then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Whose house is it?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. figure." "Ample." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. was feeling which was the fattest.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear made him keep the appointment." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved existence." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And how?" "Then what has happened to him?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in was used.' "Just look it up, then." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down must compliment you." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed following enigmatical notices: "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, yes, easily." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a upon the white wrist. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship villagers almost as much as their master. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your which we had just quitted. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains