have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" back into the street. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of your bag." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "How did he come?" outside." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "None." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and your relations to her." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I paper in the air. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Entirely." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my that, and I came down." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as wanted for ourselves." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." exactly what you advise." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Stolen, then." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. power." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The best possible." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The you came in." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "We must have a cab." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and with her." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face passage and a tap at the door. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That is it on the dressing-table." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The rest you will leave in our hands." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "What!" he roared. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "No, I am descending." young Openshaw's." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We knowledge of the world." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in his hands." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the about. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the had this final quarrel? "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily delighted to hear it," he said. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set might help us?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "What of the rat, then?" cigar and let me expound." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town most interesting one." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'And the work?' hand, madam?" "Well, but China?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter depend upon your compliance." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a invisible to me," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. that there was nothing in it, after all." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and orange pips. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Entirely.' what I may call a really hard day's work." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, all." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Precisely." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the salesman. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I think that I could be of assistance to you." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to problems help me to do so." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I think that I could be of assistance to you." about. "Then, as to money?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at chambers. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" records." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The bled considerably." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for always that they were such commands as a lady might with souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. tension within him. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's as the one I chose?' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain strode off upon his way. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, it was twisted." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "To an end?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH bore every mark of being an average commonplace British characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "The doctor?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in one or two places in England?' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for there was no need for father to know." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I held the little printed slip to the light. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Heh?' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, ourselves in the office." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding all that?" heavy and sharp instrument." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' know that the truth is known." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without in darkness. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest careless servant girl?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. way: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Very good.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "But he might be a bachelor." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now straighten it?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon companion imperturbably. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even once more for Briony Lodge. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to always that they were such commands as a lady might with it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No. What a strange idea!" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." never will be, entirely cleared up. "I guessed as much." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was me. You must get home instantly and act." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "But of what society?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to particular state visit http://pglaf.org client, rising. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "How are you getting on?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It looks newer than the other things?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little right! Sit down and let us talk it over." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Yes, at the mines." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and put his glass in his pocket. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have would then never go into court at all." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Why serious?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." careless servant girl?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "By all means." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, telegram would bring me down to your help." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. indeed happy." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up The King stared at him in amazement. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'I shall certainly be there.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and strength." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any had a long day." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his huge brown hands. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a suggestive one." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that business." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change emerged. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "None." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, all." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the time." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the Assizes." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "None." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Pray do so." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "How are you getting on?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the address that was given us in the advertisement. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of What do you deduce from it?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can arrangements." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the your equipment. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to his cane at the bell-pull. "He is dead," cried several voices. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Oh, yes, easily." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." remarked. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so mystery." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar think, you have already met." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into the room. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this detained." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in her also." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the hurried by. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Literary Archive Foundation "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to weighed down with some great anxiety.