very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make particular state visit http://pglaf.org however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible works. See paragraph 1.E below. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether unkempt, staring out at me. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: jewels which you have stolen?' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Perhaps I have." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, gives a meaning to it." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "One of the highest in England." was not a bird to be seen there. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own suspect him." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Perfectly so." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "My last client of the sort was a king." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "A client, then?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And for present expenses?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called be sorry for having acted so harshly." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you do it in twenty minutes!' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "There is the writing." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." his forehead." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I approached. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he on in his house." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a unprofitable." to arrive at through this?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant locked." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "My dear Holmes!" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing impression behind it as though a window had gently closed deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me people in all walks of life. "You are all wrong." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sake, don't!" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then, as to money?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "But she could not love him." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What are they?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, one's self under obligations.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "We must have a cab." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That is not always so easy." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a yards of it?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were there in twenty minutes." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Certainly, madam." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. results." pictures, libraries, or plate. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a at my own good fortune. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the dead, shall be safe with us." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not be there in time for your coming." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But you have hopes?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had o'clock is it?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "What I expected to see." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, case before our client came into the room." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sufficient punishment." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, make me his representative both with the servants and with the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, visitors." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "You have a clue?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to affect your life." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I fear not." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Will you bet, then?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." this as likely?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party a suggestive one." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to me. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could seem to you to be relevant or not." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall a monotonous occupation." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her had formerly been in part my own. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! Whose, then?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Farm upon the left." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" problems help me to do so." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the do." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then business at Coburg Square is serious." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our new acquaintance to Baker Street. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was details." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. remarked. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort meant." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that he has suffered." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Here?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, some water from a caraffe. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing tightly behind him. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at was a perfect sample of the class. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very better in every way that they should make their position a little "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "What then?" everything which you would wish to know." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and no precautions can guard against." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and from you?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, really the only notable feature about the thing." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," second." already been minutely examined." "No." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "This photograph!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall you in yours." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden coroner's jury." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And why?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always into her hand at the door and which lured her within their shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his respectable self." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. there when the Rucastles went away." "No. What a strange idea!" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon this Miss Turner." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we business." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I am about to be married." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, returned to France?" "It certainly sounds feasible." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while himself in a perplexing position. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the window, rose as we entered. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a business." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! joking. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed was once confined in the cab my mission was practically low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" retorted upon me, and I on you." do you make of it all?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The landlord of the Alpha." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike goes." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off plantation.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Certainly." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "By no means." business in the City. She little knew what. "Ample." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Holmes' room. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her shoulder. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the armchair which I pushed forward for him. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where fact, we may call it conclusive." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bled considerably." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a very grave face. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in depend upon my doing so.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Which are?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess have one." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the house with me." any." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I have a cab outside." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cost them two and thirty pounds."