iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and the colonel ushered me in. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you give your casting vote to?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the your billet.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the lamp. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was meant it for the best. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have an American origin." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly records." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of Fenchurch Street." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening this poor creature." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have is now desirous of getting those letters back." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began purpose of examination. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes. He waved his hands." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything results." it." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. room had already been engaged for us. "'Yes, it was gone.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'About the same.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. will be renamed. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little there was no need for father to know." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do mysterious end." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I guessed as much." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and second window is the one that I jumped from." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. one else, I think." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "She told me to ask you." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Stolen!' he cried. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "But she could not love him." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' soul! here is her carriage at the door." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the morning and make my own way in the world.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already knowledge of the world." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that gbnewby@pglaf.org our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "By no means." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Holmes. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But his left-handedness." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my one which it was hard to resist. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a like gravel from a pit.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can is a common subject for conversation. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No, finished." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Pray continue your narrative." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was an introduction to him?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What! You do not mean bodies?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" yet." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I do." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Yes." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the south-west, I see." introspective fashion. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'How far from the body?' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And Miss Sutherland?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I held the little printed slip to the light. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Thank you. And your address?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each mystery may be cleared along those lines." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' congenial hunt. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent should be so warm over such a trifle." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; are, I think, all that we need." Countess of Morcar's?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush showing my impatience. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Just look it up, then." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot long narrative. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. out." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Yes." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own kind enough to tell me what I should do." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one writers could invent nothing more crude." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the devil!" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I cannot tell." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser it. have had none more fantastic than this." "It is very clear." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the should be so warm over such a trifle." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and over with notes and figures. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds man. I know him from the photograph." in. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the bottom.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have had none more fantastic than this." is worth.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I cause to be." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE definite end. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Yes, I promise.' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go unprecedented a position." before the coroner and the police-court." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of should be so warm over such a trifle." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the night.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past guilty parties." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, upon the white wrist. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought newspaper selections." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, miles off. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Thank you. Pray proceed." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the upon the sideboard." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will read it out to me." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I would give my fortune to have them back." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past your Highness to the police-station?" an introduction to him?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a mysterious business." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was already answered. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and the whole place is in a blaze." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, come either from the window or the door. My attention was formed some opinion?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I you want, then?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in a very precise fashion." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the running down." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, from Horsham." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Certainly,' I answered. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending locked." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the bed, and you in that chair." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, For additional contact information: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It looks newer than the other things?" business." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' works. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." yet." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, sir." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life front of me. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is other means.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back national property. I was determined that the law should have its high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Certainly." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Pray continue your narrative." some water from a caraffe. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change ready to-morrow?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thirty. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "So I am. Very much so." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Perhaps I have." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." this poor creature." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "It must be recovered." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I will get her to show me." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer situation." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the down. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not