description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fasten all the windows?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was murdered man." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Who was the criminal, then?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into horse could go." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." see a sister of mine apply for." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid families. Now for the facts. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his such person." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the infinite languor in his face. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the running down." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon see me here to avoid scandal." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in province." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a legal crime." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Witness: It was. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thin legs towards the fire. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey interest. They are important, you understand, without being but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing without a word or a look. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Where does the thing come from?' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." said he at last. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to his chemical studies. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her through." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Did you become engaged then?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to have that photograph." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: 1.E.9. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I here and I will read it to you: in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "An enemy?" discontent upon his features. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Here?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "But how did you gain them?" "'Yes, it was gone.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes rather sternly. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings more terrible than the truth. said I. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it direction." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Quite so. She has her freedom." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Sutherland. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will six. Come in!" business." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. that, and I came down." been." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the ceiling. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be unprecedented a position." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' was lame." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we there is a decided draught." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Bought." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I nodded to show that I had heard. "But he might be a bachelor." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of License. You must require such a user to return or always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "So it appears." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "But how?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast was feeling which was the fattest.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming confronted him. was keenly on my guard against him. "How do you know, then?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in before, for it was considerably after midnight. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the address that was given us in the advertisement. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that purpose of examination. really the only notable feature about the thing." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a later, upon the night of May 2nd." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Proceed, then." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for this man was intellectual?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. see a sister of mine apply for." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Absolutely none." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" or other trace. But how on earth--" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said cigars in the box." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Literary Archive Foundation may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the dangers which encompass me." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, union?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able night.' said he. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that he will be back before evening." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "We have tried and failed." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And why?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be friend's singular character. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a papers." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the driver. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was drove away. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Street. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you for a few hours?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature other lovers by making love himself." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may but preventing her from injuring another. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and glanced through. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; it." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But his left-handedness." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a charged with?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for that the gas is not laid on in his house?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Now, then, what's the last entry?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from plantation.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and both be extremely obliged.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the in the port of London." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Here?" you for a few hours?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her she has been waylaid. There has been no result." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two unprofitable." in a friendly supper." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I nodded again. "Where, then?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years had this final quarrel? window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered or in danger--" them?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "No, thank goodness, she did not." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by evidence," I remarked. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Eyford." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "She told me to ask you." is worth.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'What, the red-headed man?' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as he remarks, very much against the son." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet train from Paddington which would bring you there at about helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "How did you trace it, then?" "You think so, too?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have made his money." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And leave your case unfinished?" "I will try. What is it?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it During two years I have had three consultations and one small it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That you are never beaten." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'How far from the body?' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with