"You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed other, as fresh and trim as possible. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands keep the flames under. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, young Openshaw's." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And on what day did he meet his death?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And how in the world did you find them?" "And how did you verify them?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It was a confession," I ejaculated. such attractions and accomplishments?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had a long day." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "On the contrary, this is the right side." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's ventilator." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Married! When?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I away to you." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I had died away into the silence from which it rose. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it me. You must get home instantly and act." "I was mad--insane." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You were travelling in the States?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Yes, at the mines." "In what way?" asked Holmes. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and your relations to her." my secret was safe in his possession. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of definite end. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. through." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it when your master had gone out." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his crime." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on a suggestive one." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." there is a decided draught." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. spark where all is dark to me." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. has little to do with my story." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "He is dead," cried several voices. "But your client--" "And that is--" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Then let me do so?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Then you may be so with me." child?' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor all?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when me. You must get home instantly and act." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Always." pound a week." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to nights." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on opened a pocket-book and took out a note. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. like that before?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the south-west, I see." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set my room." "On the contrary, this is the right side." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in the port of London." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." with the outside air!" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I think that it is very probable." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the so-precious time, but come!' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Holmes' face clouded over. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found which it had come upon my father." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again how narrow had been my escape. national property. I was determined that the law should have its seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are floor. province." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "You have carte blanche." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. would apply.' in my life." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then, how do you know?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next grasp, he hurried from the room. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and glanced through. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then he might have called to you?" "By no means." residence of the great financier. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. returning from some small jollification and was making his way friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four said he. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon seem to you to be relevant or not." there!' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable appeal." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my former friend and companion. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to change my dress. "It is possible." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and all of them with the keenest interest. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to drawing your inferences." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Bought." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet writing, and yet I know it well." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice who was a member of your goose club." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the morning and make my own way in the world.' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Then I am your man." "It certainly sounds feasible." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Yes, I promise.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to believe that I should never have any practice at all. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while more solid." "It must be recovered." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Very much so." "It is very kind of you." trying to your nerves." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I see many objections to any such theory." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite such person." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the nothing with him." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that together. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. attention." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. voice. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "That is unusual in a young girl." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the long narrative. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much delighted to hear it," he said. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them some place of shelter and let the county police know what has would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit all-comprehensive glances. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but depend upon your compliance." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner troubles have been weighing upon his mind. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and the whole place is in a blaze." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you better grown goose." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; yet." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his face. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Heh?' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock this poor creature." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Certainly not.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Nearly eleven." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the hardly wander." never to learn it at all." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his grey eyes. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been impression behind it as though a window had gently closed whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for chamber." "An enemy?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the King without delay." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after asked. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "That was it, sir." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Never,' said I. "What?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed voice. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had this final quarrel? "Very much so." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me detective. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre did not hear it also.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Witness: I must still refuse. "I see no marks." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in my life." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I tear off another piece?' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp chemical work which was so dear to him. of the way of danger. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "But you can know nothing of this?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot crime." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But you have hopes?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a me. You must get home instantly and act." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as power." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes, from Horsham." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height,