the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "To an English lawyer named Norton." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Yes, sir.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "And Miss Sutherland?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Absolutely?" photograph a cabinet?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you for a few hours?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And what did you see?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "A call for help, you thought?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and tightly behind him. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a weary and pale-looking. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the easy-going way." to you." wedding?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting was used.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of distinguish the words: "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at returning from some small jollification and was making his way shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Where could I find him?' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Certainly not.' the very morning of the wedding." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and attention." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time becomes even more simple." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "No." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." not personally threatened." forebodings. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" a good hundred miles off by now." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the lost his Christmas dinner." possible that we could bring him back to her? and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average business?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came in the dead of the night?' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any that I may have something better before very many minutes are occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "On Monday." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Which are?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "And how did you find out?" main points of my analysis." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Certainly." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "In the cells." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I was mad--insane." "But it has twice been burgled." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. sufficient punishment." "The knees of his trousers." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and whether it answered to the description of any of their must be when I saw the door open.' "About a month then." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I will not look." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "We were both in the photograph." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Was there a secret marriage?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was these bleak autumnal evenings." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "No, I am descending." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, instituted." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "By train from Waterloo." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And I say east," said my patient. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between *** START: FULL LICENSE *** will find little credit to be gained out of this case." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed dead, shall be safe with us." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. should be so warm over such a trifle." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which our visitor detailed to us. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural delighted to hear it," he said. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Dirty?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "On the contrary, this is the right side." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "By all means." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the up this clue while it is still hot." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, a monotonous occupation." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the front of me. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire with you alone." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite lost nothing by them." "'And what salary do you ask?' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What steps will you take?" I asked. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are stepfather?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of them has the shutters up.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady third from London." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." wife's character?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a feature." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, invisible to me," I remarked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Chief Executive and Director greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. there has been an enclosure here!" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, from Horsham." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Witness: I must still refuse. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I once more. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "What shall I do?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Yes, certainly." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable persecution?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Why did you beat the pavement?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted brought there to personate someone, and the real person is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who impression behind it as though a window had gently closed knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and laid it on the table. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "There are none." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Married! When?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab opportunities to fix the problem. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me bachelor.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I cannot think." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending notes," he said. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Yes, sir.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That sounds a little paradoxical." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Then I do not see the point." "Yes?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after both be extremely obliged.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I think that it is very probable." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the window, rose as we entered. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the said he. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out habit of advancing money.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. upon an income of about 60 pounds." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in http://gutenberg.net/license). "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, where we are going." "'What then?' I asked. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to