were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "And I to find an enemy." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in o'clock is it?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you drove away. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has completely overtopped every other consideration that we both really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless overpowering excitement and concern. "I have come for advice." "But of what society?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "From his hat?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I sparkled upon his finger. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we mysterious business." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the date of his supposed suicide." have accepted such a situation. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I do." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. felt?" see me here to avoid scandal." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn absolutely follow my advice in every respect." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "On your arm?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I question," said Holmes, smiling. "Where is it, then?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Never." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent present." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Perhaps I have." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which all-comprehensive glances. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian meant it for the best. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I approached. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "There are none." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a served to weaken the effect. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little for securing the situation." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Yes.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Then I do not see the point." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have call for protection in the marriage market, for the present exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an past. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I fear not." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where such attractions and accomplishments?' is four-and-twenty." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And you thought he was pulled back?" introspective fashion. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from returned to France?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was lame." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as all-comprehensive glances. do." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his are, I think, all that we need." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the train.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in observed. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You think so, too?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And is that all?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." official police." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to-night?' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at trifles." plantation.' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "But his left-handedness." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I leave." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Then he might have called to you?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of License. You must require such a user to return or My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry stepfather?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I see no marks." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that, and I came down." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in him. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, at a side door. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he bowed and left the room without another word. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., that he will be back before evening." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "In which, sir?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting power." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled maiden herself was most instructive." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought goes." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** beg that you will break it off." them?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when hereditary King of Bohemia." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "But you were on a friendly footing?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." neither fascinating nor artistic." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official strength in the others." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked look dissatisfied." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." existence." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sneer upon his pale face. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not people don't know." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I have my revolver," said I. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while question. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Yes, sir.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Yes. He waved his hands." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I unclasping of his long thin hands. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Come in!" said he. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But she could not love him." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, some hundreds of times." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but himself to hunt down. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in becomes even more simple." room. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That was it, sir." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. stood on the top of it. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." returning from some small jollification and was making his way scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the into the bag, and made for the door. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss relation between them, and what the object of his repeated pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all coat-tails." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" skylight. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the nursery. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Come in!" said he. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have affection." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "How did you deduce the select?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell not use it unless it is absolutely needed." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. back alive. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with some details as to your case." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. retorted upon me, and I on you." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "How did you deduce the select?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked this poor creature." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And how did you verify them?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with her." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and all of them with the keenest interest. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That you are never beaten." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Yes, sir.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your cigar and let me expound." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at relation between them, and what the object of his repeated a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the night.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Will you go?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of