better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" guilty parties." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Here?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong once more on the important position which you have been fortunate friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Yes, at the mines." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I lamp in his hand. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You were travelling in the States?" than was visible to me." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, that is the Crown." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of problems help me to do so." instituted." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "None." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, have accepted such a situation. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven all?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "You horrify me." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of as this. Pray let me have the details." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no my secret was safe in his possession. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fashion which was peculiar to him. get the tickets." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I cannot think." "'Yes, I promise.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "What office?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Ten to two.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I will not look." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reach." "That is it on the dressing-table." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Why serious?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "How did you trace it, then?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without said I. your own bird, so if you wish--" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little himself. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See be best to do. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And it is--" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough business." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in his power. "His face fell immediately. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and the colonel ushered me in. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural lectures into a series of tales." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to client, rising. crime. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "How did he come?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And for present expenses?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present away to you." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Serpentine Avenue. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "But you were on a friendly footing?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. matter." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite power." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Never.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The hardly wander." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "To the police?" pierced for earrings?" you in your example." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily prepare for the new role I have to play." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sufficient punishment." you." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and that he would see to anything that turned up. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that official police." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Of what?" your bag." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy For additional contact information: so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you keep the flames under. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He dead, shall be safe with us." "But what harm can there be in that?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more place, I think that there is good ground to think that the made his money." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel when you have done it." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Doctor, of the paper and the date." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, finished." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a him nearly every evening." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the said he. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. is so. I know all about McCarthy." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some infinite languor in his face. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to must be when I saw the door open.' have accepted such a situation. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "To an end?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I don't believe it." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of remarked. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but three fields round his house, and there he would take his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman delirious. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have established a very serious case against the son of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your writer." It may be so in this case, also." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in house for five minutes.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the cigars in the box." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you business in the City. She little knew what. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" with some details as to your case." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "The Cedars?" but preventing her from injuring another. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we remarked. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that helping a boy to put up the shutters. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and that threaten you." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "But how?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the address that was given us in the advertisement. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Mary, has deserted me." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Foundation saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady heavy and sharp instrument." house for five minutes.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the him. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the King without delay." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I will do it." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was quickly through a disagreeable task. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bill, which interests me deeply." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'And what salary do you ask?' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "How do you know, then?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the again." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that ways including including checks, online payments and credit card dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little about here speaks of his kindness to him." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I am still in the dark." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Not social, then?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Then let me do so?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I was mad--insane." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Very much so." in my life." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two fact, we may call it conclusive." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Surrey." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the how narrow had been my escape. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to empty. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, discontent upon his features. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the quickly through a disagreeable task. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these for the market.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'As governess?' hopeless attempt at recovering them." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "May I see it?"