"No sign of it?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without carriage. It was a chestnut." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I empty. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two make me his representative both with the servants and with the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, it was twisted." hurried away. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was you?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at appeal." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes." "You think so, too?" easy-going way." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And when will you call?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than joking. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have such person." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which is worth.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of Fenchurch Street." on in his house." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, do you make of it all?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, some hundreds of times." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You have carte blanche." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "One of the highest in England." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Which are?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest not, dad?" she asked. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I think that any burglar could have done. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I cannot tell." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Very murderous indeed." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in looking up at the numbers of the houses." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of matter." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Is he quiet?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect your bag." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible bare slabs of marble. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than new duties?' floor. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my breakfast?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save some water from a caraffe. business at Coburg Square is serious." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself meant it for the best. official police." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and second." have been better. It is all right." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and looked back. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Pray do so." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Very. But will he see it?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a had this final quarrel? more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'And the work?' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the wedding?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Yes, at the mines." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his train.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "How did he come?" investigation." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which companion quietly. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And that is--" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It is his hat." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, affection." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the you understand?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "No sign of it?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the bottom.' "I am about to be married." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then how many are there?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you newspaper selections." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you any little problem which you may submit to me." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and glanced through. "But how?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom your Highness to the police-station?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The rest you will leave in our hands." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is DISSOLVED. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sound at heart." telegram would bring me down to your help." "Then you may be so with me." You want to know what became of those geese?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he maid will bring up your coffee." "But you can know nothing of this?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Then, as to money?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then appeared upon the scene." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ten will be early enough." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able once more for Briony Lodge. strength." there!' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "By all means." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "What!" he roared. had this final quarrel? "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and have had none more fantastic than this." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of your young ladies.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive perplexity from it to my illustrious client. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your distinguish the words: home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Of what day?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no wall." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I have it here in my museum." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "This concluded the examination of the witness." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring sneer upon his pale face. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. sooner or later she must fall a victim. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and certainly do as you advise." death." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I cannot think." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his passage and a tap at the door. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put already been minutely examined." himself. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was lame." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I say that I have solved it." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Was there a secret marriage?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I know where it is." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it such person." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding standing smiling on the door-step. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Eyford." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for a little more before I quite committed myself. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper walking." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies here." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I have seen the police." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Count Von Kramm." people in all walks of life. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "In San Francisco, a year ago." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive once more on the important position which you have been fortunate these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her to take care of herself." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "But to whom?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm once more for Briony Lodge. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other The events in question occurred in the early days of my secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that he will be back before evening." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a him, that man would not have given me such complete information fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I paper in the air. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "On the contrary, this is the right side." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." III. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg him to go away.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" house for five minutes.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in