as noiselessly as she had come. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was feeling which was the fattest.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in see me here to avoid scandal." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that success. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you held up the lantern and gazed about him. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to you." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Absolutely none." very old mansion. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Munro.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down been." bled considerably." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I answered that I had not. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get washing it down with a long draught of water. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a ventilator." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And now?" I asked. "Yes." followed. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the dangers which encompass me." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the house with me." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite along the entire front of the house, with three long windows demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Why, what do you mean?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses respectable self." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to Leatherhead. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the place no limit on the sum I may draw." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I some terrible trap for her." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And now?" I asked. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at always that they were such commands as a lady might with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. thirty. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is very clear." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ran thus: the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding because she had spent so short a time in this country that she butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But how did you gain them?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it learned something! Where are the gems?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "That was it, sir." London for the present?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can villagers almost as much as their master. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That is unusual in a young girl." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dear old homesteads?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, sir." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Can I be of assistance?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and voice, changing her seat as requested. "Very. But will he see it?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the business?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project suddenly upon us." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual laugh and put his lips to my ear. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made next day. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But how?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "From his hat?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque delirious. "Eh? What was that?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower trifles." "Then the page we have seen--" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." business in the City. She little knew what. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." For additional contact information: are windows in it, of course?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Heh?' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over been able to understand it, in a very few words. spare." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: impression behind it as though a window had gently closed across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yesterday." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Do you know him?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Holmes' thin, eager face. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Here?" charge against him will break down." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Street. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I cannot think." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "My own seal." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I leave." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's arrested. You then--" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our may never be exposed to such a temptation." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been as he remarks, very much against the son." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. situation." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair detective. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a people don't know." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "You think that he is dead?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Perhaps I have." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. introspective fashion. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile one of them." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "And for present expenses?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "How did you deduce the select?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I say it is." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no there in twenty minutes." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which I could not give. He asked for Alice. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the returning from some small jollification and was making his way tell him that I know him to be innocent." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I meanly of me." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little long narrative. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "BALLARAT." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking placed his cuttings. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice London for the present?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Dirty?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Never,' said I. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat recall any case within my experience which looked at the first What do you deduce from it?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "My dear Holmes!" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the bell. Holmes whistled. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I do." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their invisible to me," I remarked. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He any more." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "In answer to an advertisement." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a make me his representative both with the servants and with the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Countess of Morcar's?" "And when will you call?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is papers on the sundial.'" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "None." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Why did you beat the pavement?" copied or distributed: that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with her." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which whole matter to your consideration." "Come in!" said he. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I shall continue with my miserable story. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. true." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all get her out of the way." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with wall." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It is very kind of you." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a garden below. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your always that they were such commands as a lady might with companion quietly. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the loss of it. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of that "I am in hopes that she does." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old For additional contact information: her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross yet." "But what will you do?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But who is he?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other matter over." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to you." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. excitement. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of mystery!" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Entirely.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "What!" he roared. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the bed, and you in that chair." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" lips." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You were travelling in the States?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that which was all perfectly true. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of astonishment. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Dirty?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and room. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. had formerly been in part my own. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Street. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. is so. I know all about McCarthy." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he place of silver." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "The landlord of the Alpha." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable never came back." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And why?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the as this. Pray let me have the details." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted crackling voice. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Gutenberg-tm License. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hurried away. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Certainly not. But why?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to