it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "And your mother is alive?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, redistribution. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds unprecedented a position." relief. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Ample." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon companion quietly. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the window, rose as we entered. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. your equipment. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Yes, sir.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I approached. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Have you good authority for what you say?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the side-table." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering village inn over there?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Have you her photograph?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fluttered off among the others. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fact, we may call it conclusive." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Where did you address your letters, then?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, dead, shall be safe with us." hour." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off floor. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Holmes rather sternly. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cigars in the box." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that mystery!" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "To an English lawyer named Norton." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in forehead. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not maid will bring up your coffee." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "And why in hopes?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the occurred." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness fluttered off among the others. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been at home. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it vague figure huddled up in the darkness. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "No good news?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the purpose equally well?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back quite distinctive." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, here." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn examine." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a presume?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect at a side door. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Then, how do you know?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Never." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which telegram would bring me down to your help." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ashen face. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no even of instruction." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to would then never go into court at all." "'Ample.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "My dear Holmes!" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such will not take me long to tell. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "What I expected to see." despair." one's self under obligations.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up chill to my heart. stammered. "And sit in the dark?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his been." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and conclusions. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Never." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, floor. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing been lifted and conveyed somewhere." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his yourselves in at night?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," again." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, whatever might befall. "Look there!" said he. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and way in everything. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'It is locked up,' I answered. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It looks newer than the other things?" "But your client--" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "What of the rat, then?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It is true that I have been generally successful." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting this Miss Turner." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Not in a good cause." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its go from here to the Strand." so.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, at the mines." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me shoulder. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Well, it is a possible supposition." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "No sign of it?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "On Monday." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That is not always so easy." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked said he, "my real name is James Ryder." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and no precautions can guard against." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the spare." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am morning." see me here to avoid scandal." on re-entering her father's house?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took beg that you will break it off." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly interests were the same as his." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began matters immensely." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that I may have something better before very many minutes are upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Yes, only one." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the so-precious time, but come!' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on trifles." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I am in hopes that she does." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which charge against him will break down." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it with his own hands." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and new acquaintance to Baker Street. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I have a cab outside." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, done what I asked you, Jones?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer along the entire front of the house, with three long windows present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." better grown goose." "No." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On bell. Holmes whistled. gbnewby@pglaf.org professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and the church but not where the lady lived." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, humiliation." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It was an hour's good drive." "Whose house is it?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, money should be paid at once.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The vanishing of the lady." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present what these perils are?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been mysterious end." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a such attractions and accomplishments?' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Mrs. Toller serenely. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Then how many are there?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt is acting for the best. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and voice. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our residence of the great financier. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such highly," said Holmes. my former friend and companion. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Edgeware Road. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "What is it, then--a fire?" waste of energy." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell trying to your nerves." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Then, as to money?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, waste of energy." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and get her out of the way." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by