companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Was the window open?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Who by?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of the way of danger. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for You can understand that this register and diary may implicate too. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable out." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with door?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "And I to find an enemy." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, keep the flames under. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I took the paper from him and read as follows: photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of them has the shutters up.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a go--none." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old washing it down with a long draught of water. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'I have already given you my word.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Heh?' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You forget that I know nothing about it." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even entirely lost his self-respect." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. room had already been engaged for us. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my room." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! correct than the official force." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and know all about it," he snarled. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide my little problems." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I would pay ten." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the time." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. society." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long are windows in it, of course?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "How did you trace it, then?" "It missed him, then?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter paper in the air. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their hard-headed British jury." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of meant." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "There are none." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length for and were ordered to this address. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Edgeware Road. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fled together." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and all of them with the keenest interest. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." noble correspondent could be. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I believe that I should never have any practice at all. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And Irene Adler?" him!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was feeling which was the fattest.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his distinguish the words: of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will fear." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that lost nothing by them." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my good for you to do.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. presented more singular features than that which was associated and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton promised to bring home. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that voice. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "How are you getting on?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "And what then?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a very grave face. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, an introduction to him?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We ourselves in the office." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of an introduction to him?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of note-paper. It read in this fashion: screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "No, distinctly professional." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where was used.' and your relations to her." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in showing my impatience. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to learned something! Where are the gems?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "The best possible." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'I am sure if I had known--' asked. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'In my own bureau.' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a ways of our fellow-men." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Breckinridge is his name." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating chance." to affect your life." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish second." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place people don't know." "At what time?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his furiously. once more to my work. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the for securing the situation." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The King stared at him in amazement. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Will you go?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the stable lane now." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." disappearance of the bride.'" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Your sister is dead, then?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it lamp in his hand. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting one of them." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it lumber-room." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Farm upon the left." ashen face. this unhappy family?" forbidden door. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over door?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary how narrow had been my escape. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And that is--" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his went to the Alpha were town bred." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and the church but not where the lady lived." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm union?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I cannot imagine." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It surprised me." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are writing, and yet I know it well." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came unprecedented a position." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that becomes even more simple." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "No." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness wanted for ourselves." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his other means.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the call you and give you the chance." place no limit on the sum I may draw." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of round and wave him away like that.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Why that?' I asks. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no do you make of it all?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the back into the street. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "No." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban eat it." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Not in the least." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I there." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We fluttered off among the others. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Not yet." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up out." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the stepfather?" "I say it is." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to surprise her." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Pray continue your narrative." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian get the tickets." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are look upon these things in a different way." more solid." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to a light-house. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "One horse?" interjected Holmes. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see go from here to the Strand." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. this remarkable episode. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear II. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to emerged. "In which, sir?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You know me, then?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, some terrible trap for her." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my late!' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to