because she had spent so short a time in this country that she during which he might have communicated with his friend the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "No, thank goodness, she did not." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom throat." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every know that the truth is known." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. was a loud and authoritative tap. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally went to the Alpha were town bred." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And I." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fat-encircled eyes. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, becomes even more simple." this remarkable episode. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Never." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my status with the IRS. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg key of the affair now." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the coroner come to?" undoubtedly my uncle's." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you for a few hours?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "He said that you could solve anything." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you anything to a woman, for she would have her way." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would then never go into court at all." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my which it had come upon my father." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the there has been an enclosure here!" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. companion. "So I am. Very much so." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I was sure that I might rely on you." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just handed it to him. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And I say east," said my patient. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "A confidential servant?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached his face which made him a very different person to the round, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Sutherland. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "No, my brougham is waiting." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of business in the City. She little knew what. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes, all." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in four million human beings all jostling each other within the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a him." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of receipt of the work. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' chair. as yours." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: you." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that indeed which he could not unravel. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in tied." made his money." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it all?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Murdered?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." not come at once?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Certainly not. But why?' retorted upon me, and I on you." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, from Horsham." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely in your London, you will know that the office of the company is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others became a certainty. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'A dozen yards or so.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, dates and names. "She told me to ask you." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "How often?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Why did you beat the pavement?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the one as in the other." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one residence of the great financier. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that may have an influence upon European history." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. on re-entering her father's house?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at security.' "I should wish to." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. me. You must get home instantly and act." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would bill, which interests me deeply." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to hurried by. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Do you know him?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." money should be paid at once.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Quite so." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the morning and make my own way in the world.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Come in!" said he. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers of Fenchurch Street." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and shall probably return to London by the evening train." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "What can you not understand?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Yes, it was gone.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you papers must be those that are destroyed.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and said he. a very grave face. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes." the date of his supposed suicide." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Then I shall certainly come." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open made him keep the appointment." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his eyes and forehead. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards know that the truth is known." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I voice, changing her seat as requested. It may be so in this case, also." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Is purely nominal.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Did your wife hear all this?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and wait." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Stolen." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "That was it, sir." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met said I. "And now?" He raised his hand. straighten it?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the outbreak?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit would apply.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Proceed, then." "And Miss Sutherland?" outsides of the windows. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. evidence," I remarked. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No. What a strange idea!" on in his house." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Not him." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, it is a possible supposition." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless go--none." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her with you?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' ways of our fellow-men." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." what these perils are?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that think you a quite exceptional woman." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is worth.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I am sure." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about people don't know." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a come either from the window or the door. My attention was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And the cigar-holder?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It is no ordinary one." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "We have tried and failed." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Do you go out much in society?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was feeling which was the fattest.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." always that they were such commands as a lady might with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you to take care of herself." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which questioning and rather startled gaze. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still