to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the loss of it. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has question. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak me. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood stood on the top of it. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I was mad--insane." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any if she died from some sudden fright." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so these bleak autumnal evenings." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "What of the rat, then?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and put his glass in his pocket. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my success. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his cane at the bell-pull. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "My private note-paper." very old mansion. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lamp. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You think that he is dead?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every depend upon my doing so.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make companion. have not had my rubber." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life carried out of court." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul pound a week." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. were wasted." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the photograph a cabinet?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It is very kind of you." place no limit on the sum I may draw." But Holmes shook his head gravely. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a happened." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "What of the rat, then?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here waste of energy." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her jewels which you have stolen?' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in a friendly supper." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'As governess?' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying your equipment. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg chill to my heart. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But we can't all be." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the night.' said he. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other along the entire front of the house, with three long windows by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I will do it." heavy and sharp instrument." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in the dead of the night?' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "But of what society?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Quite so." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it go from here to the Strand." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did character. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, only one." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Watson," he said cordially. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who begun to whiten, even as mine has." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Which are?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall manager. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so true." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No, I am descending." appointment with me for six o'clock?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard who was a member of your goose club." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open them present such singular features as the strange train of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Breckinridge is his name." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been what is your own theory as to what took place?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, back to my heart. as he folded up the epistle. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I distinguish the words: "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "Really! You surprise me." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out young Openshaw's." cost them two and thirty pounds." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right with you alone." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very nonsense.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered putting in the horse. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had details." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Yes, all." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gigantic client. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well." begun to whiten, even as mine has." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Farm upon the left." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes, sir." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Then the page we have seen--" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the little opening for the ventilator is." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of grasp, he hurried from the room. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her memory. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And how have you succeeded?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so politicians who had been sent down from the North. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, touch that coronet?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest It was close upon four before the door opened, and a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my little problems." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a my room." to surprise her." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I shall communicate with you." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, call the police, let the police find what they can.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which our visitor detailed to us. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every fashion which was peculiar to him. arrested. You then--" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE woven round him. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would should be taken.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is developed." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building out." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for sufficient punishment." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ways of our fellow-men." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the breakfast." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then how many are there?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And what then?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a prisoner's face. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Was she in good spirits?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; something of him before." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and with the outside air!" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something matter." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "The murder was done with it." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told for securing the situation." locked." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed himself in a perplexing position. done what I asked you, Jones?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was hands. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "My dear Holmes!" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide notes," he said. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security will not take me long to tell. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her read it out to me." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with congenial hunt. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort should be taken.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "BALLARAT." "No." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in your London, you will know that the office of the company is several quiet little villages up there." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in him." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Holmes. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. My friend smiled. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they plantation.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in the hope of finding them." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. London for the present?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past me." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private indiscretion." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of enter Dr. Roylott's room." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have established a very serious case against the son of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his wife has ceased to love him." "No sign of it?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we any more." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Do you go out much in society?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the some city in a dream. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to