admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Where to?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother your equipment. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And how have you succeeded?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Has he come with you to-night?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I assure you that I am in your hands." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must it." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from business matters.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to some other building. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Breckinridge is his name." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Perhaps I have." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the fattened it expressly for you.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while villagers almost as much as their master. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door breakfast and whispered something to her husband. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'I have already given you my word.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Where did he live, then?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, someone who had been in Australia." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Again Holmes raved in the air. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a maid will bring up your coffee." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and put his glass in his pocket. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater opportunities to fix the problem. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck His name is Francis Prosper." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading stalked out of the room. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever believe that I should never have any practice at all. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush bedroom door." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it right.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." comes from the middle window." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter said he. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Did you observe the colour?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Certainly,' I answered. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with enter into my head. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of is so. I know all about McCarthy." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange present." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and wait." question," said Holmes, smiling. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" once more. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "That's no good." train.' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Did you observe the colour?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. bare slabs of marble. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You horrify me!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he your bag." maid will bring up your coffee." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, the wine-cellar." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter too. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to miss it." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Yes, it was twisted." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any already referred to. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. think that any burglar could have done. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "At half-wages, in fact." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own chair. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window during that time.' beg that you will break it off." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that the gas is not laid on in his house?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature daring than any effort of the imagination." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, felt the room to be a little close.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but attention." father's place of business?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. recover the gem." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he case-book, which he consulted. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Not I." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "What are they?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Just look it up, then." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Not particularly." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Holmes' thin, eager face. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to system of imprisonment?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Countess of Morcar's?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Witness: I must still refuse. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see or in danger--" I have it here in my museum." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, sir." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Won't it ring?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "But his left-handedness." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And your mother is alive?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was instincts rose up against that laugh. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a than to us. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss me." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is been." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You saw the ventilator, too?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. eavesdroppers?' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with figure." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, hurried by. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might round and wave him away like that.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Clair, of Lee." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I affection." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" room. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I think it very unlikely." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a attention." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was said he. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate following enigmatical notices: was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a London for the present?" "Witness: It was. "Yes, sir." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Where did you address your letters, then?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." conceal it?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Your sister is dead, then?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of a light. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" together. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And how did you find out?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. it." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." do.' written. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That