"Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband learned something! Where are the gems?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous conceal it?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "On Monday." father's young wife. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a been deceived." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Where did you address your letters, then?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the coronet in his hands?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers correct than the official force." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in outbreak?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "How did that help you?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. security.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the night.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should your troubles." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Have you it here?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Perhaps we may make them less so." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I friend's singular character. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship tied." strength of mind to control. little adventures." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, 1.F. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' noble correspondent could be. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. be best to do. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Witness: It was. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely through." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project have been better. It is all right." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to take care of herself." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE situation." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But she will refuse." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Does that suggest anything?" own family. that I can to serve you." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. envelope. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to-night?" I asked. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and fact, we may call it conclusive." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it humiliation." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then what has happened to him?" "It's nothing of the kind." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If ourselves in the office." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector or in danger--" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I them?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Married! When?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, tension within him. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I am in hopes that she does." to tackle the facts." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us plantation.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and drawing your inferences." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That is unusual in a young girl." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and conclusions. returning from some small jollification and was making his way belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Count Von Kramm." cost them two and thirty pounds." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with some details as to your case." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, unclasping of his long thin hands. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; introspective fashion. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "How on earth--" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "You forget that I know nothing about it." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was events, Mr. Windibank!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But how?" easy-going way." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "What then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But you can know nothing of this?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to affect your life." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to a light-house. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I My friend smiled. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you came in." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Count Von Kramm." humiliation." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom anything to do with the matter?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a hands. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair train.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. derbies." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that I may have something better before very many minutes are stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds open." "'Then let me do so?' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Where to?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through retorted upon me, and I on you." lost his Christmas dinner." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Was she in good spirits?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether upon the sideboard." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned shall not find me ungrateful." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but arrangements." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I begun to whiten, even as mine has." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Was there a secret marriage?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ready to-morrow?' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "To an English lawyer named Norton." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary not within a twentieth part of the market price." "No, but the enclosure is." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The best possible." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two she slowly sank and died without having recovered her freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did few hundred pounds.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" 1.F. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes' room. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had at my remark. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I once more. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly McCarthy's innocence. meant it for the best. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason asked with his eyes open. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? My friend smiled. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and a shock of very red hair. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "What then?" him!" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us case before our client came into the room." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The best possible." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to invisible to me," I remarked. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one there in twenty minutes." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything never will be, entirely cleared up. delirious. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my absorbing." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "What can it mean?" I gasped. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to present." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. nice household for a young lady." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Serpentine Avenue. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have got?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for legal crime." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to question. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left such person." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed behind me. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a husband's writing, madam." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "When did she vanish, then?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the himself to hunt down. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from instincts rose up against that laugh. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our new duties?' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was lame." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me ago." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next case before our client came into the room." matter." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Then you may be so with me." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental extraordinary contortions. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their remarked. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel