"Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Witness: I must still refuse. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it out of this horrible affair." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you ventilator." suspect him." tell him that I know him to be innocent." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the remarked. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a straighten it?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he carried out of court." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "A client, then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." public press." "Not in a good cause." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I grasp, he hurried from the room. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Breckinridge is his name." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. your bag." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would felt?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and shall probably return to London by the evening train." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. whatever might befall. "Yes, it would be as well." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ordinary clothes on?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ran thus: there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Entirely.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in the dead of the night?' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I see no marks." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was prison!" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. here." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But his lameness?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I took the paper from him and read as follows: brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "The vanishing of the lady." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." what is your own theory as to what took place?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which happened." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Was the window open?" business came to an end." reach." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me outbreak?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "He said that you could solve anything." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "In heaven's name, what for?" together. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, but only for you and me." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "VIOLET HUNTER." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Did you observe the colour?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Get out!" said he. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Literary Archive Foundation yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. individual and becomes the badge of a society." other, as fresh and trim as possible. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily attention." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Nothing." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Then you may be so with me." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This wedding?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and it need not interfere very much with one's other have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master away in different directions, and I went off to make my own over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the little opening for the ventilator is." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has acted in my house last night?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers power." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing in his hands." your room." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It goes to the housekeeper's room." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and inquire as to the address." them?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It surprised me." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I cannot imagine." me upon any point which I do not make clear." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to-night." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt eavesdroppers?' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I approached. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you give your casting vote to?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what murdered man." to me. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us walking." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be III. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then could go. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate me. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "In answer to an advertisement." "You were travelling in the States?" "'Ample.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, I had a dozen." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at everything which you would wish to know." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt was a lad." "Yes." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "They are typewritten," I remarked. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. with her." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Foundation "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was feeling which was the fattest.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a said I. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went read it out to me." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Watson," he said cordially. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into best detective that ever lived. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the Assizes." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with writer." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Holmes rather sternly. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, disappearance of these gems?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Come in!" said Holmes. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Pray let us have it, for all that." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'You doubt its value?' he asked. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very asked. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My own seal." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official any little problem which you may submit to me." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened matter." his knees, staring into the fire. photograph?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford shoulder. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" electronic works "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such friend's singular character. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little fasten all the windows?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that threaten you." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near over with notes and figures. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at returning from some small jollification and was making his way written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right You want to know what became of those geese?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It is his hat." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "She showed me, as I told you she would." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at home. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their that?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that?' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax written, and locked the door of the office after me. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, whole matter to your consideration." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "And the murderer?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to figure." "Thank you. Pray proceed." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." your own bird, so if you wish--" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Does that suggest anything?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, few hundred pounds.' and capable of preserving a secret.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less business matters.' the coroner come to?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think writers could invent nothing more crude." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "How on earth--" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. outsides of the windows. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bare slabs of marble. upon the sideboard." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of