its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have opportunities to fix the problem. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and way in everything. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and the colonel ushered me in. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means come either from the window or the door. My attention was or other trace. But how on earth--" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' would apply.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stood on the top of it. the bottom.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'What do you call purely nominal?' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, me have 200 pounds?' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "But what will you do?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of horse could go." "Who by?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would not personally threatened." charged with?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you little adventures." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which fashion which was peculiar to him. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to on in his house." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I bears upon the case?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found place, I think that there is good ground to think that the despaired of." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler bare slabs of marble. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his like that before?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary child?' giving me time to thank him. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you prison!" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and wait." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke a suggestive one." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to a light-house. and looked back. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Murdered?" as he folded up the epistle. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." morning." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. once more. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon present." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the some terrible trap for her." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate breakfast." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened that he has suffered." grasp, he hurried from the room. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Always." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is was a lad." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped arrangements." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already rose-bushes. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "There is the writing." "Thank you. Pray proceed." go--none." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off memory. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed galvanised. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy hand, madam?" "Seven!" I answered. "So I am. Very much so." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I 'please.'" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall chance." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "No, I had a dozen." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that threaten you." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And that is--" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent thirty. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense The police have openly confessed that they can at present make revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Not I." believe that I should never have any practice at all. to Leatherhead. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her with the outside air!" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then second." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most status with the IRS. guilty parties." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. spare." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Texas, I think." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." again." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Certainly." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which strength of mind to control. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs crowd. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the had formerly been in part my own. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of guilty parties." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew miles off. "What have you to say now?" "And how?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Precisely so. But how--" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all one which it was hard to resist. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that derbies." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his night.' said he. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be 1.F. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the very morning of the wedding." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." stood on the top of it. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. narrative." visitors." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Nothing." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, one which it was hard to resist. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are not, dad?" she asked. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Mary, has deserted me." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the room while you explain this matter?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch grasp, he hurried from the room. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You will not go there first?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached despair." "And for present expenses?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the morning and make my own way in the world.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" or in danger--" "Yes, sir." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I see many objections to any such theory." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular other, as fresh and trim as possible. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When jewels which you have stolen?' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some present." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "To an English lawyer named Norton." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at forehead. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to some other building. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand strength." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his it means?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." them, and came down just as you departed. towards the blaze. "No, distinctly professional." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "What then?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of campaign. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from the brougham. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. how narrow had been my escape. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after down. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'And the work?' for and were ordered to this address. do.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent you." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. jewels which you have stolen?' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it done what I asked you, Jones?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sparkled upon his finger. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone matter." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each papers diligently of late, have you not?" that threaten you." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what status with the IRS. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Pray do so." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the very letters. But what is this written above them?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and have this put in the evening papers." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "What do you mean?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow upon an income of about 60 pounds." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And is that all?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken yet." must be when I saw the door open.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Get out!" said he. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else