you." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "From his hat?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "What office?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I would give my fortune to have them back." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Is he quiet?" "If I can be of use." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Yes, sir.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, o'clock is it?" ready to-morrow?' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Did you observe the colour?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his chance at all." gigantic client. "None. Neville wrote those words." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. one's self under obligations.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached that there was nothing in it, after all." there was no need for father to know." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I will not look." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I would pay ten." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "None." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before conduct the inquiry." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, fishes. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" anything to do with the matter?" such person." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Eh? What was that?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Why? What do you mean?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was shining brightly. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the stones. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I advice." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him throat." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "The best possible." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Holmes' room. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and no precautions can guard against." "My private note-paper." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my public press." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the affection." any more." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yes. He waved his hands." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the one of them." "About a month then." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a signal between you and your father? "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this all?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal ago." "But he might be a bachelor." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. his face which made him a very different person to the round, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been believe that I should never have any practice at all. Street. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to from you?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, someone who had been in Australia." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and unclasping of his long thin hands. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Why did you beat the pavement?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Oh, fresh and glossy." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could do.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Nothing?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate acquaintance?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport corner of the building. open." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." maid will bring up your coffee." you." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "One of the highest in England." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" tail." back to my heart. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "So it appears." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." believe that I should never have any practice at all. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom weighed down with some great anxiety. disturbance in my wife." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sofa. This way, please!" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Frequently." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and put his glass in his pocket. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And sit in the dark?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I am about to be married." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the bird of prey. Mary, has deserted me." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Proceed, then." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I. with you?" "What office?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I was mad--insane." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And who is her maid?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it tail." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black anything to a woman, for she would have her way." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which room?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took presume?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tail." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "By train from Waterloo." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, clanging. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front some city in a dream. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It came here." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." a monotonous occupation." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'Not at all. I only doubt--' house for five minutes.' respectable self." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Where, then?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Eyford at 11:15.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "What is it?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Not him." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the vacancies.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of the vacancies.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Certainly." "I shall be delighted." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But you would not advise me to refuse?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his highroad, where all traces were lost. unkempt, staring out at me. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "He disappeared so suddenly." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "What! You do not mean bodies?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was used.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "The Cedars?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "He might." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "What of the rat, then?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable know what is wrong with it.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Never." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "To ruin me." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no done what I asked you, Jones?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see said he. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is confronted him. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Oh, yes, easily." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and inquire as to the address." DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him success. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear companion quietly. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who written, and locked the door of the office after me. the bed, and you in that chair." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself situation." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "My dear Holmes!" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as yours." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "That is possible." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew into the bag, and made for the door. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the bottom.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally