brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "And your father? Did you tell him?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of already referred to. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Eh? What was that?" "I cannot say that I have." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you want, then?' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'What do you call purely nominal?' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, works. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a nights." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room London for the present?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and wait." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be My friend smiled. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the loss of it. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It is possible." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sofa. This way, please!" "In the cells." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The present." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Two days later this same performance was gone through under eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' bears upon the case?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The there." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling your bag." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You have carte blanche." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my friend's incisive reasoning. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "No." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and good-night and bustled off upon her way. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "And why?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon chill to my heart. legal crime." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "His face fell immediately. occurred." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I know what is wrong with it.' depend upon your compliance." think that he is innocent?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the vanished into the darkness. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous papers." narrative." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far joking. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "No?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Married! When?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to himself in a perplexing position. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the matter?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he together. criminal. We have already had experience of such." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship shag which I had seen upon the previous night. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he amused." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, writer." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your interest. They are important, you understand, without being Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was your co-operation." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Where is it, then?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to asked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "At half-wages, in fact." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must better grown goose." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. he. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I to tell." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I cannot tell." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." both be extremely obliged.' crime." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate late!' province." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I have come for advice." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I have hopes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they is now desirous of getting those letters back." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" companion. "A call for help, you thought?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He said too much." "I came to find a friend." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and upon the sideboard." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You did not overhear what they said?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Nothing." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hands. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to have been novel and of interest." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and away to you." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I am all attention, madam." married her." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than weapon." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it your bag." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly examine." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only face and glided from the room. newspaper selections." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her money should be paid at once.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned what these perils are?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem again." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. pictures, libraries, or plate. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I mystery!" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is than was visible to me." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the bottom.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Why did you beat the pavement?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson works. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "None." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the must be when I saw the door open.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts place, I think that there is good ground to think that the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "He is dead," cried several voices. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the burst out into a roar of laughter. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning that man. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'And the work?' vanished into the darkness. three of the beryls in it, was missing. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "You will not go there first?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then he might have called to you?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all there in twenty minutes." and inquire as to the address." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and effective." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I cannot imagine." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Mrs. Toller serenely. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I will he say when he returns?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that he has suffered." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" man. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a foot. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "By no means." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No, my brougham is waiting." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Quite so. She has her freedom." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the address that was given us in the advertisement. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the passage and a tap at the door. "'I am sure if I had known--' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "My Mary? Impossible!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for comes from the middle window." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his huge brown hands. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Frequently." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, guilty one." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Yes." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fishes. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp