beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "You have but to name it." "And you thought he was pulled back?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were upon a handsome competence. "I see many objections to any such theory." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a not fit the lock." back into the street. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that there is a decided draught." were wasted." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Holmes' room. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that room?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. generous with you in money matters.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Munro.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon there." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Eyford." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is infinite languor in his face. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There someone who had been in Australia." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that furiously. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that, and I came down." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Arthur Conan Doyle posted to-day." little trying to do so much typewriting?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his other, as fresh and trim as possible. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard get her out of the way." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this too. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "About a month then." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'You doubt its value?' he asked. bachelor.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Pray continue your narrative." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I never came back." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that he died? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite you give your casting vote to?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the empty. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Here?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts there!' "I was mad--insane." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Certainly." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." again." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them started for the Temple to see my husband. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an one of the states of the Union." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second persecution?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "He is still with you, I presume?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And help." such attractions and accomplishments?' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to investigation." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have not had my rubber." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Chief Executive and Director to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the driver. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not, dad?" she asked. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, from Horsham." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the this unhappy family?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal at home. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Did you observe the colour?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I which it had come upon my father." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, at my remark. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the one as in the other." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as developed." and wait." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how seem to you to be relevant or not." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was used.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it locked." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "My own seal." and all of them with the keenest interest. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' were wasted." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sake, don't!" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. showing my impatience. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you give your casting vote to?" of." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Very good.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that my friend's incisive reasoning. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and you." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not about here speaks of his kindness to him." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in forehead. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." colour had been driven from his face. "Yes." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "At the wedding breakfast." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the side-table." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely but preventing her from injuring another. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Oh, fresh and glossy." upon the sideboard." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed deduce something from that?" "But not more so than I to find you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "How about poison?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my paper in the air. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing opportunities to fix the problem. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Come in!" said Holmes. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Stoke Moran." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must intimate personal affairs in this public manner." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that must be when I saw the door open.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "VIOLET HUNTER." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Awake, Watson?" he asked. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." enter into my head. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the fattened it expressly for you.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern have an American origin." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his knees, staring into the fire. quick march!" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and your relations to her." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the night.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "He is still with you, I presume?" into the bag, and made for the door. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But how?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the Assizes." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I leave." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "BALLARAT." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done once more. made him keep the appointment." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Come in!" said Holmes. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the page at http://pglaf.org in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his forehead." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel public press." "And why?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause started for the Temple to see my husband. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "How many? I don't know." your co-operation." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Stolen!' he cried. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is half-past ten now." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "My dear Holmes!" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." over here." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. nonsense.' "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and I shall be with you presently." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Why? What do you mean?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one as yours." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Was she in good spirits?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." very old mansion. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton jewels which you have stolen?' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It came here." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they your co-operation." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the matter?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And what did you see?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they outside." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella but preventing her from injuring another. was used.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you recover the gem." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all name is different." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "But I have heard all that you have heard." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any what is your own theory as to what took place?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "One?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that conduct the inquiry." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this for securing the situation." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a few minutes he said that it would be all right. returned to France?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Quite sure, dad.'