with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact past. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Witness: Nothing definite. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Certainly." "Ha! you find it so?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. hour." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the inquest, and which are worth considering." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' status with the IRS. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Sholtos." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Only as much as we can deduce." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the thirty. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the ceiling. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only during the last few years, and there are many noble families to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Not yet." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The photograph a cabinet?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ways including including checks, online payments and credit card up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "How did you trace it, then?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Tired-looking or fresh?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "How are you getting on?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "And it is--" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Stoke Moran?" said he. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Why, it's a dummy," said he. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the fait accompli?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, humiliation." For additional contact information: be there in time for your coming." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "One?" present." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at works. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw ourselves in the office." girl said." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that I may have something better before very many minutes are unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And I to find an enemy." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a suddenly upon us." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Thank you. And your address?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The Cedars?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. money should be paid at once.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be interest. They are important, you understand, without being of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Where to?' washing it down with a long draught of water. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it drove away. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the very morning of the wedding." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent ashen face. assist you in forming an opinion." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "By train from Waterloo." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Henry Baker is a member." side. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "And that is--" "Yes." an introduction to him?" my little problems." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of the way of danger. "What have you to say now?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" room had already been engaged for us. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "He slept on the premises." "Nothing." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Only as much as we can deduce." was lame." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes, only one." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "The gentleman I describe." "I don't believe it." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and be there in time for your coming." "This photograph!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "And what then?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "In answer to an advertisement." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the salesman. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Was she in good spirits?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I shall be delighted." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That is not always so easy." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It is very kind of you." what do you think they found in the pockets?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I nodded again. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "No legal papers or certificates?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, ways of our fellow-men." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It is possible." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. other means.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "VIOLET HUNTER." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found letters?" "By all means." that threaten you." "Have you her photograph?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Really! You surprise me." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And who is her maid?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as following enigmatical notices: would apply.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And how have you succeeded?" "One of his hands." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Nothing." hand, madam?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass could go. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You have the photograph?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Here?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal kindly on the shoulder. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn foot. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And who is her maid?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them your only hope of safety." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My James Windibank. Voilà tout!" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, only one." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. them, and came down just as you departed. points to suicide?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I fattened it expressly for you.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Why did you beat the pavement?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE British peeress.'" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Will you bet, then?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it there was no need for father to know." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross good-night and bustled off upon her way. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm already referred to. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "In answer to an advertisement." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently few hundred pounds.' him and tried to hold him back. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Frequently." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And how did he make his money?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his you came in." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the house with me." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I never have." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I have seen the police." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "No." "No, I had a dozen." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You are all wrong." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. again, where I was soon asleep. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, himself to tell his story. "Not him." companion. imbecility!" he cried. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "No, I think that I'll take it." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be how narrow had been my escape. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I would pay ten." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "We were both in the photograph." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Yes, it was gone.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that friends, not even his own brother. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time returned to France?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." keep the flames under. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands it." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I saw her in conversation with her maid." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, them?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "None. Neville wrote those words." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "That is it on the dressing-table." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your papers diligently of late, have you not?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I took the paper from him and read as follows: my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Certainly not.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. promised to bring home. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with back to my heart. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were strength." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Won't it ring?" mystery!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." gone. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was in the port of London." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I ceremony." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of My friend smiled. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And sit in the dark?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "In heaven's name, what for?" "I have solved it." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes least a fellow-countryman. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." arrested. You then--" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Pool. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Yes.' page at http://pglaf.org finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "How do you know, then?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of congenial hunt. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden