which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush October 9, 1890. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to his chemical studies. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, but only for you and me." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ashen face. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Munro.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the general public were present, then?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Never.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Certainly." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" it." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the village inn over there?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Why did you beat the pavement?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "My private note-paper." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of your young ladies.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes." weary and pale-looking. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I say that I have solved it." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in your London, you will know that the office of the company is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as rose-bushes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I know where it is." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they will not take me long to tell. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, points to suicide?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by British peeress.'" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had soul! here is her carriage at the door." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to yet." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. even of instruction." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Where did you address your letters, then?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want so far?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." it." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was conclusions. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Then, how do you know?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me discontent upon his features. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any mysterious end." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You have but to name it." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' very old mansion. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of receipt of the work. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Yes, sir.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in darkness. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of place no limit on the sum I may draw." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was appeared upon the scene." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean was already answered. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to persecution?" crime. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and that he would see to anything that turned up. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you breakfast?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would written. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power confronted him. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night gone. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Why? What do you mean?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out death." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to talk it over. "You were travelling in the States?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was feeling which was the fattest.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I again." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I have it here in my museum." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away III. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for neither fascinating nor artistic." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I held the little printed slip to the light. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the is worth.' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sparkled upon his finger. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of said he. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to-night." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. go back?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of prisoner's face. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Nor running a chance of arrest?" compunction about shooting them down." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was this man was intellectual?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that I can to serve you." putting in the horse. in my life." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" instincts rose up against that laugh. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up anything to do with the matter?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I cannot say that I have." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her people in all walks of life. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to John Swain, of St. Augustine. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You horrify me." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little so far?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier digesting their breakfasts at home." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to purpose of examination. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. should be taken.' "Not yet." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see client, rising. only touch the interest." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Whose house is it?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be maid will bring up your coffee." purpose equally well?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should always that they were such commands as a lady might with Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Look there!" said he. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of Fenchurch Street." salesman. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and your relations to her." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if cup of tea. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of London for the present?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I important." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of events, Mr. Windibank!" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate following enigmatical notices: 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Bought." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty should be so warm over such a trifle." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Was she in good spirits?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of power." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Yes, it was gone.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I cannot imagine." village inn over there?" "I cannot think." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a secret." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "He slept on the premises." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, again before evening." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a leave you to your papers for a little." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was used.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." respectable self." "What then?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And fashion which was peculiar to him. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured again, where I was soon asleep. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their digesting their breakfasts at home." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old purpose equally well?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those this remarkable episode. matters immensely." fait accompli?" strong and stiff." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I say that I have solved it." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking returned to France?" "No bad?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector.