"There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I shall be delighted." disturbance in my wife." might have a private word with us. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I cannot think." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the chambers. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "That also I could fathom." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And how have you succeeded?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that there was nothing in it, after all." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. or in danger--" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of touch that coronet?' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, certainly do as you advise." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, himself to tell his story. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" even so self-evident a thing as that." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Game for a morning drive?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I was sure that I might rely on you." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and then?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave know all about it," he snarled. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have an American origin." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a me have 200 pounds?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. mystery." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is an introduction to him?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, one's self under obligations.' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I say that I have solved it." "That is unusual in a young girl." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. lamp in his hand. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Have you good authority for what you say?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I think that it is very probable." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my little trying to do so much typewriting?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not clang of the bell. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Yes, he did." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Very murderous indeed." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez vanished into the darkness. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And how did he make his money?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the next day. "Never to return." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the already been minutely examined." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling before the coroner and the police-court." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Stoke Moran?" said he. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was already answered. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. manager. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Precisely." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was were unconscious?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Seven!" I answered. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that threaten you." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. him nearly every evening." there has been an enclosure here!" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with some mystery and the punishment of some crime." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "What! You do not mean bodies?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And you can do nothing until then?" do.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to amused." "Stolen." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "But his left-handedness." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we thought that she would have been so carried away." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." that there was nothing in it, after all." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And why?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' someone who had been in Australia." families. Now for the facts. do.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Why that?' I asks. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass papers on the sundial.'" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, kindly on the shoulder. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start had picked up in the wood. "Breckinridge is his name." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. man. I know him from the photograph." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more leave you to your papers for a little." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "But what is it you wish?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was page at http://pglaf.org "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You think that he is dead?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' existence." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and effective." had a long day." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical nonsense.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her looking up at the numbers of the houses." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, wedding?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and no precautions can guard against." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What then?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to you." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "To an English lawyer named Norton." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you British peeress.'" II. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have behind me. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept bachelor.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, is a common subject for conversation. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then he bowed and left the room without another word. knowledge of the world." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And how have you succeeded?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "None." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "An enemy?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of seem to you to be relevant or not." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has question. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met chance at all." "Then the page we have seen--" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, only one." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover very old mansion. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the Red-headed League." murdered man." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Again Holmes raved in the air. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to depend upon your compliance." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond It may be so in this case, also." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had may never be exposed to such a temptation." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's lamp. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he crowd. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "But of what society?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and that?' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "My Mary? Impossible!" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without back to my heart. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now could go. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I am following you closely," I answered. villagers almost as much as their master. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I think that any burglar could have done. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the inner apartment." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Yes?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say here." fled together." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which with frightened eyes at his accuser. face and glided from the room. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his forehead." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." for and were ordered to this address. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the late." absorbing." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods be sorry for having acted so harshly." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was already answered. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I think that I could be of assistance to you." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "It certainly sounds feasible." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.'