things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The best possible." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been round with crates and massive boxes. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the house with me." "'I have heard so.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the window, rose as we entered. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, from Horsham." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I round and wave him away like that.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Then, how do you know?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "One of his hands." "You saw the ventilator, too?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the meant." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Stolen." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hereditary King of Bohemia." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since what these perils are?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining foresight and the moral retrogression?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "No, distinctly professional." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who mystery!" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Why that?' I asks. have accepted such a situation. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and hair?' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that get the tickets." speckled band?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is good for you to do.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There dear old homesteads?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Was there a secret marriage?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, during that time.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hurried away. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Oh, no.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." guilty one." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Did you become engaged then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper your troubles." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his some water from a caraffe. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which notes," he said. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "By no means." forbidden door. "That is possible." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for outbreak?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' said he. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was said he at last. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an derbies." was used.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "The rest you will leave in our hands." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Pray let us have it, for all that." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin details." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of Fenchurch Street." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The decline of his fortunes, then?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen woman." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and if I call to-morrow?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he letters?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. nonsense.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" extraordinary contortions. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it asked. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout there were one or two details which were new to me. But the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was lame." galvanised. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that opened the door, and slipped through. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the inner apartment." instituted." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The a suggestive one." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I was concerned in it." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened photograph a cabinet?" head. So long, then!" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' village inn over there?" were wasted." "And Irene Adler?" ceremony." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have evidence," I remarked. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "In heaven's name, what for?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly it." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes with some details as to your case." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to arrive at through this?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. there when the Rucastles went away." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think laugh and put his lips to my ear. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the companion quietly. "BALLARAT." My friend smiled. back alive. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lamp. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in appeal." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Oh, no.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "About a month then." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "By no means." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "There is the writing." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Witness: Nothing definite. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune away into the river." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "The landlord of the Alpha." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, voice, changing her seat as requested. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And what did you learn from him?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "If I can be of use." "Yes, at the mines." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the address that was given us in the advertisement. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass weigh very heavily upon my conscience." disappearance of these gems?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in his power. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "We must have a cab." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his forecastle of an emigrant ship. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, hereditary King of Bohemia." been deceived." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet particular state visit http://pglaf.org presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing strength." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the loss of it. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But you were on a friendly footing?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the colonel ushered me in. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the interests were the same as his." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I don't believe it." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under call for protection in the marriage market, for the present your only hope of safety." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately chamber." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always golden eyeglasses. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is not within a twentieth part of the market price." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No, my brougham is waiting." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Has he come with you to-night?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no it were putty." down. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the address that was given us in the advertisement. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "And what then?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "That is not always so easy." for securing the situation." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I have a cab outside." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, straighten it?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year criminal. We have already had experience of such." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and the whole place is in a blaze." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had as the one I chose?' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no peculiar to him. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "By train from Waterloo." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Never,' said I. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Well?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes." have been better. It is all right." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is outside." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You did not overhear what they said?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg into a doddering, loose-lipped senility.