roused himself from his reverie. light and attacked it." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Lestrade of Scotland Yard." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where be there in time for your coming." was shining brightly. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, all that?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy occurred." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a lips." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "By train from Waterloo." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "What is it?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the flock.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was shining brightly. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But how will you look?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle me what he had done with the three missing stones. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to carpenter." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It is very clear." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing for securing the situation." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "But how?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes signal between you and your father? remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Then I can wait in the next room." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Can I be of assistance?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "How often?" had a long day." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary vanished into the darkness. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those stepfather?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes, at the mines." "By all means." that you can jump it.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Ha! you find it so?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the Red-headed League." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I promise," said Holmes. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Most admirably.' Street. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "How did you deduce the select?" invisible to me," I remarked. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to have been novel and of interest." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon business." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I am following you closely," I answered. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I guessed as much." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "You saw the ventilator, too?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed status with the IRS. better in every way that they should make their position a little of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." four million human beings all jostling each other within the instincts rose up against that laugh. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was rat could hardly pass through." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Street. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning way in everything. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he locked." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fled together." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It was an hour's good drive." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; such attractions and accomplishments?' burst out into a roar of laughter. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Gutenberg-tm License. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible My friend smiled. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hour?' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am spark where all is dark to me." make me his representative both with the servants and with the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is But Holmes shook his head gravely. in this way: the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six really the only notable feature about the thing." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, at the mines." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. daring than any effort of the imagination." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if man. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "None." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me photograph a cabinet?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, from the brougham. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to a light-house. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Why that?' I asks. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dramatic, in fact." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these it. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I have seen the police." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been she to prove their authenticity?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, bird I ate is country bred." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had will not take me long to tell. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any do.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in go--none." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in his power. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And from a noble client?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle swore that no one else had been in the front room during the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Of what?" entirely devoid of interest." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Get out!" said he. "You think that he is dead?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Not him." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains shall not find me ungrateful." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes rather sternly. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "And you don't know his address?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'I am sure that I do not know.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he more solid." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the in the port of London." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four carried out of court." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He swore that no one else had been in the front room during the beg that you will break it off." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Ah!" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or her also." read it out to me." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the could go. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an other lovers by making love himself." "'In my own bureau.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, entirely lost his self-respect." get the tickets." the bottom.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Whose house is it?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You directors, with the result that you have seen." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes." until night should bring an explanation. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "There is the writing." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and I shall be with you presently." "But she could not love him." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "In San Francisco, a year ago." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in habit of advancing money.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is himself to hunt down. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "What is it, then--a fire?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that you wished to speak to me?' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'About the same.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You have carte blanche." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of beg that you will break it off." from you?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "10th. John Swain cleared. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Not yet." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent key of the affair now." rooms." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No, finished." "You are hungry," I remarked. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Eyford at 11:15.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I himself in a perplexing position. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. read it out to me." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a