which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of it with the greatest attention. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Indeed! Whose, then?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Oh, yes, easily." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the room while you explain this matter?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "That was it, sir." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing wedding?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I think that it is very probable." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to my room." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Yes, all." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He companion. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And that is--" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "You horrify me." direction." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the photograph?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the too. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." your room." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "None." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I will not look." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I system of imprisonment?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bare slabs of marble. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I have my revolver," said I. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable quickly through a disagreeable task. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wedding?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were entirely lost his self-respect." one's self under obligations.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well beg that you will break it off." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." clanging. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "That sounds a little paradoxical." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I don't believe it." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Yes, sir.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "You did not overhear what they said?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no me have 200 pounds?' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since interested in these little problems, and since you are good away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, yes, easily." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the cigars in the box." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What can you not understand?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged tied." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he This is what he says: an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life he bowed and left the room without another word. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there was no need for father to know." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at advice." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing along the entire front of the house, with three long windows friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. trifles." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie nice household for a young lady." the ceiling. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Get out!" said he. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography presume?" in this note: "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed newspaper selections." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the nursery. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood guilty parties." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of he. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes, from Horsham." emerged. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I have come for advice." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I am not easy in my mind about them." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been his grey eyes. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was a lad." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down so far?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The landlord of the Alpha." business matters.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "How can you tell that?" "It surprised me." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk companion. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I relief. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep ago." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to that open window." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my will not take me long to tell. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that threaten you." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Foundation "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of all-comprehensive glances. "Very truly yours, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And now?" He raised his hand. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'I am sure that I do not know.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Of what?" that I am arrested." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into papers must be those that are destroyed.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and your relations to her." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet a suggestive one." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which was all perfectly true. introspective fashion. ventilator." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary envelope. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the murdered man." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you used to be." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them discontent upon his features. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Your sister is dead, then?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was crackling voice. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. whereabouts. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging one's self under obligations.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." copied or distributed: and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the King without delay." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I say it is." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at strength of mind to control. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in For additional contact information: remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "So I am. Very much so." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman from the brougham. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Doctor, of the paper and the date." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "No legal papers or certificates?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the walking." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Street. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Young McCarthy must be got off, however." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Thank you. And your address?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hands. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hour?' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And the cigar-holder?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a than to us. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." do you make of it all?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked with her." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At success.