My friend smiled. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I should be immensely obliged to you." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the best of training." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Precisely." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any went to the Alpha were town bred." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Well." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She telegram would bring me down to your help." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it were wasted." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Have you it here?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I charge against him will break down." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered to affect your life." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. corner of the building. his eyes and forehead. your own bird, so if you wish--" paper in the air. there is a decided draught." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'I shall certainly be there.' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for room had already been engaged for us. window when the police appeared." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Witness: It was. I am not easy in my mind about them." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his grey eyes. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian he. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable used to be." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is locked." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the least a fellow-countryman. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "On Monday." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, again, where I was soon asleep. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate upon the shelf for the interim." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the coronet at all injured?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'You cannot say what it was?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will meant it for the best. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl tail." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed go back?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whatever might befall. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had died away into the silence from which it rose. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation works. See paragraph 1.E below. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst companion. hopeless attempt at recovering them." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. locked. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "What is it?" "I am armed." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. himself to hunt down. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Yes, I promise.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before copied or distributed: long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And you don't know his address?" noble correspondent could be. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls it." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I approached. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "We were both in the photograph." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say indeed which he could not unravel. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I cannot as yet see any connection." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated quickly through a disagreeable task. get the tickets." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own My friend smiled. "Not in the least." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be thirty. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "How often?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I shall most certainly do so." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug very peculiar words of the dying woman?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas upon the white wrist. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" note?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the himself to tell his story. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case locked." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as noiselessly as she had come. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one points to suicide?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless weighed down with some great anxiety. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not This is what he says: you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, the cause is excellent!" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "What!" he roared. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll again, where I was soon asleep. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hour?' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Lee, in the county of Kent." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter undoubtedly my uncle's." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that straightened it out again. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and laid it on the table. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" acted in my house last night?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in presume?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the stones. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Well?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up minor matters until to-morrow." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." annoyance, but no jest. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide always that they were such commands as a lady might with the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his fortune, and I went back to pa. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Have you it here?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, indeed which he could not unravel. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And why?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the matter." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Very much so." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But your client--" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Not in the least." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes." "I would give my fortune to have them back." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Yes, all." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "My Mary? Impossible!" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which was all perfectly true. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You did not overhear what they said?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The doctor?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Tired-looking or fresh?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "What then?" digesting their breakfasts at home." forehead. wedding?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself written. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "On Monday." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Was she in good spirits?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen himself to hunt down. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I will, Miss Turner." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "To the police?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Nothing?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what enough to aid us in our search." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room meant." had died away into the silence from which it rose. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "But his left-handedness." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "How did he come?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" said he at last. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not as remarkable as your advertisement." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers our word." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A shaken than I had ever seen him. letters?" morning." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "At what time?" mystery!" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get