shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But how?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Never." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dramatic, in fact." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of train.' carriage. It was a chestnut." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said where we are going." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Farm upon the left." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most 11:15.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I nodded again. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Why? What do you mean?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in himself to hunt down. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to made him keep the appointment." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Did you become engaged then?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to a light-house. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a to miss it." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed lectures into a series of tales." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stood on the top of it. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off License. You must require such a user to return or newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I have a cab outside." chambers. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked lost his Christmas dinner." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John that the gas is not laid on in his house?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Were they all fastened this morning?" minor matters until to-morrow." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fishes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or always that they were such commands as a lady might with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the room while you explain this matter?" them?" the room while you explain this matter?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Will you go?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. for the market.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Murdered?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "To the police?" look upon these things in a different way." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the nursery. true." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our that you saw all that I did." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret purpose of examination. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "None. Neville wrote those words." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I unkempt, staring out at me. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And when will you call?" "Who was the criminal, then?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Nothing." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons ago." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up she used." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "What then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "A confidential servant?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the if she died from some sudden fright." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, copied or distributed: course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was rose-bushes. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to some other building. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes during which he might have communicated with his friend the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and mysterious business." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a quite distinctive." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet simple cases which are so extremely difficult." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a monotonous occupation." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that had formerly been in part my own. relief. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which daring than any effort of the imagination." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, experiences." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the dangers which encompass me." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped upon the white wrist. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and glanced through. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "We have tried and failed." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father green of the new foliage. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know photograph?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "But how?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Not social, then?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And how in the world did you find them?" cup of tea. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of would apply.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Frequently." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much fatally injured? "But she could not love him." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Why that?' I asks. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And for present expenses?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped money should be paid at once.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sake, don't!" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with gigantic client. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. tapping his fingers upon the table. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained yourselves in at night?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Never to return." "Yes." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "If so, much may have happened between." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of certainly do as you advise." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Come in!" said he. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear mystery may be cleared along those lines." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then I do not see the point." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while very morning of my second wedding." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat window when the police appeared." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: strength." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez when your master had gone out." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my she used." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But to whom?" call it cruel." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "The Coroner: What do you mean? handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside address. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the from you?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Ha! you find it so?" Countess of Morcar's?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yes." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and companion quietly. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to married her." "That also I could fathom." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some business." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" when your master had gone out." shoulder. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I see no marks." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have upon the white wrist. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City good-night and bustled off upon her way. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." up this clue while it is still hot." III. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "He disappeared so suddenly." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Yes, from Horsham." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the tell me that you intended to go into harness." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You have a clue?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; them?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and new acquaintance to Baker Street. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City mysterious end." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you heavy and sharp instrument." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of know all about it," he snarled. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in questioning and rather startled gaze. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and call for it in person on Monday morning.' which was all perfectly true. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. unclasping of his long thin hands. "Never." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What! Had he lost his wife?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the date of his supposed suicide." "'Yes, I promise.' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Where did he live, then?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I have hopes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time