Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon off." "'In my own bureau.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little brought there to personate someone, and the real person is him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes, that is the Crown." more terrible than the truth. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "And sit in the dark?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Have you it here?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'Certainly,' I answered. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of your young ladies.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded him, that man would not have given me such complete information another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ than to us. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "But who is he?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with brandy and water within his reach. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Where could I find him?' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you despair." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then I shall certainly come." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Not particularly." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'You doubt its value?' he asked. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Not him." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Then I am your man." "The Cedars?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, what I may call a really hard day's work." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had died away into the silence from which it rose. exactly what you advise." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But married her." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon see me here to avoid scandal." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got correct than the official force." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the retorted upon me, and I on you." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Very murderous indeed." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, read it out to me." asked. "Witness: Nothing definite. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local unclasping of his long thin hands. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was such person." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat introspective fashion. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a not as remarkable as your advertisement." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is his hat." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to talk it over. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, overpowering excitement and concern. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is acting for the best. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' what is your own theory as to what took place?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to goes." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely any more." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. your co-operation." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And the murderer?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you do it in twenty minutes!' "Will you bet, then?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is half-past ten now." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The telegram which we eventually received came late one night but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through over part of the map. "What do you read?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Most admirably.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "No." "Yes." it." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a man. I know him from the photograph." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone be. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "What do you mean?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were you?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real key of the affair now." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But you can know nothing of this?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for residence of the great financier. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that tension within him. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Your sister is dead, then?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of your young ladies.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and put his glass in his pocket. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "No." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his wife has ceased to love him." stalked out of the room. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly criminal. We have already had experience of such." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Deserted you?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would room. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very papers must be those that are destroyed.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for brandy and water within his reach. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent sooner or later she must fall a victim. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the father's place of business?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he certainly not very gracious." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah you in your example." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just you came in." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging unprofitable." client, rising. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried carriage. It was a chestnut." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Thank you. Pray proceed." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, such attractions and accomplishments?' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Sholtos." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Never to return." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "So I am. Very much so." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for because she had spent so short a time in this country that she became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one McCarthy's innocence. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by from you?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, sir." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of easy-going way." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Dark enough and sinister enough." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Then, how do you know?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I think that it is very probable." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hard-headed British jury." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather it." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, directly by questioning you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught delirious. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it this unhappy family?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it awkward doing business with an alias." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "VIOLET HUNTER." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Not particularly." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better wall." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and my room." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else affection." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, man. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Proceed, then." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The been." from the brougham. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they mystery!" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how good-night and bustled off upon her way. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I cannot imagine." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a be. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the details." past. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." new duties?' "At half-wages, in fact." particular state visit http://pglaf.org grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He him to be an active member of the medical profession." to have that photograph." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side union?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I am armed." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, his grey eyes. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the man. I know him from the photograph." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. over part of the map. "What do you read?" cheerful." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the arrangements." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in one or two places in England?' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a fact, we may call it conclusive." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fait accompli?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "What!" he roared. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with