computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a go--none." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I think that it is very probable." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a up this clue while it is still hot." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the desk. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his wife has ceased to love him." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." letters?" companion imperturbably. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the salesman. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "It must be recovered." "Pray continue your narrative." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you populous neighbourhood." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you it right.' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up such person." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You know me, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. writing, and yet I know it well." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of said he. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better notes," he said. affection." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "That you are never beaten." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "How do you know, then?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Project Gutenberg-tm works. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, other, as fresh and trim as possible. "What office?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "And how have you succeeded?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Lee, in the county of Kent." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. little adventures." "'Never,' said I. ago." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of the vacancies.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Texas, I think." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg helping a boy to put up the shutters. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having undoubtedly my uncle's." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and man. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign observed. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece one of the states of the Union." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, help us in this matter." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone as he folded up the epistle. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was forehead. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an me upon any point which I do not make clear." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Is he quiet?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was it brought him the coronet? "I see many objections to any such theory." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that despair." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely me. You must get home instantly and act." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in a very precise fashion." "Why? What do you mean?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and cigar and let me expound." any more." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell get her out of the way." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the think that any burglar could have done. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I woman." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of were unconscious?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I have seen the police." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we train from Paddington which would bring you there at about He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the driver. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I beg pardon." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are outside." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect sit on the left-hand side of the driver." paper in the air. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the depend upon your compliance." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "In San Francisco, a year ago." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you papers." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Where could I find him?' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could derbies." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" ready to-morrow?' straightened it out again. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I see no marks." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of followed. "It is no ordinary one." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But how will you look?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "But she will refuse." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers 11:15.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the individual and becomes the badge of a society." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to villagers almost as much as their master. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "So I have heard." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "How many? I don't know." hurried by. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. examine." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land States. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "No." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet had no one to advise her at such a crisis." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come bird I ate is country bred." entirely devoid of interest." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "But you have hopes?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough make me his representative both with the servants and with the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was already answered. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I will get her to show me." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would danger is over." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked room?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Street. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray in his power. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, when your master had gone out." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only not come at once?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of nothing with him." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the notes," he said. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Ample." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this these bleak autumnal evenings." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a shall not find me ungrateful." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, gone. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. do.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees if only as a check to my own memory." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a good hundred miles off by now." I was concerned in it." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he father's place of business?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before correct than the official force." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my sofa. This way, please!" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of four million human beings all jostling each other within the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the date of his supposed suicide." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well yourselves in at night?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The vanishing of the lady." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging that, and I came down." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the acquaintance?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after arrangements." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And I say east," said my patient. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. will take you up to see the machine.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Certainly,' I answered. obstinate." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "How often?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I don't believe it." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. signal between you and your father? was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss bare slabs of marble. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying who was a member of your goose club." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both article?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Precisely so. But how--" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but desk. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in his power. "But we can't all be." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get mystery may be cleared along those lines." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that, and I came down." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm other means.' until night should bring an explanation. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. desk. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my narrative." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to window when the police appeared." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, that is the Crown." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its families. Now for the facts. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Literary Archive Foundation http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Very good.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, this unhappy family?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately