takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "When did it break out?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But he might be a bachelor." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely drawing your inferences." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "In what way?" asked Holmes. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The King of Scandinavia." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the room while you explain this matter?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you came in." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Count Von Kramm." the running down." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Very good.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. residence of the great financier. forecastle of an emigrant ship. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The character. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Edgeware Road. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "He is still with you, I presume?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Have you it here?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but tightly behind him. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. particular state visit http://pglaf.org companion quietly. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' garden below. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the Assizes." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg upon a handsome competence. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my father's young wife. that you saw all that I did." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "If so, much may have happened between." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It closely." room had already been engaged for us. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, my brougham is waiting." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Where is it, then?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Foundation be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. photograph?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Yes, I promise.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Stolen!' he cried. the warnings." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. been." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Upon what point?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds morning." in the hope of finding them." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And the cigar-holder?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "No, finished." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "And Miss Sutherland?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "An enemy?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Watson," he said cordially. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. away to you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the roots. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, four million human beings all jostling each other within the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It is possible." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "But who is he?" "I am armed." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' retorted upon me, and I on you." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. manager. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from father's place of business?" not fit the lock." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the little opening for the ventilator is." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are pressing in one house as in another. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And Irene Adler?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle you?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I think that it is very probable." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH ourselves in the office." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." at my remark. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I nodded again. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Was she in good spirits?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the roots. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when you have done it." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at straighten it?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to tell." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to invisible to me," I remarked. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "In which, sir?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional said he at last. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the most interesting one." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and into the bag, and made for the door. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had died away into the silence from which it rose. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And you thought he was pulled back?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" be best to do. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once redistribution. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works becomes even more simple." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." London for the present?" "But how?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I am to be neutral?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, indiscretion." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What I expected to see." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by question," said Holmes, smiling. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a my room." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That once more. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old call you and give you the chance." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it voice, changing her seat as requested. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of detective. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel some place of shelter and let the county police know what has seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "BALLARAT." you came in." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "The landlord of the Alpha." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know would apply.' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And the murderer?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I came to find a friend." off." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." be there in time for your coming." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I shall be delighted." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the Assizes." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my special province." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the inner apartment." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of memory. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The knees of his trousers." lumber-room." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he if she died from some sudden fright." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "At what time?" pierced for earrings?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over miles off. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the best detective that ever lived. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The note was undated, and without either signature or address. wedding?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. father's place of business?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the until night should bring an explanation. "What!" he roared. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or weapon." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her details should find their way into the papers. Inspector about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom business came to an end." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me as this. Pray let me have the details." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stepfather?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the Assizes." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to read over the extraordinary announcement. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must are, I think, all that we need." "I beg pardon." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all have one." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself tell him that I know him to be innocent." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And from a noble client?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the were wasted." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his knees, staring into the fire. "How did he come?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' breakfast?" "One of the highest in England." Surrey." way: He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever presented more singular features than that which was associated you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "And how have you succeeded?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of empty. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Was your sister dressed?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Look there!" said he. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came in him." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But to whom?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lumber-room." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be for the market.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said.