for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "By all means." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." main points of my analysis." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wife's character?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very bell. Holmes whistled. the matter?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all tapping his fingers upon the table. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it with his own hands." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I will try. What is it?" window when the police appeared." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders cigars in their mouths. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It certainly sounds feasible." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," least a most suspicious remark." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Very. But will he see it?" answered with a sidelong glance. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Well, it is a possible supposition." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their said he. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "But she could not love him." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front girl said." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which out of this horrible affair." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Did you become engaged then?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in retorted upon me, and I on you." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And the cigar-holder?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I cannot imagine." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" to Leatherhead. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Henry Baker is a member." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to shoulder. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Frequently." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to have been novel and of interest." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a me have 200 pounds?' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and your relations to her." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'I am sure if I had known--' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your your own bird, so if you wish--" "Not in the least." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But we can't all be." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held strength." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Watson," he said cordially. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have got?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." them?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left mystery." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed voice, changing her seat as requested. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "In heaven's name, what for?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who key turn in the lock." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have it, sir, just as it happened." you came in." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the guilty parties." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, as he remarks, very much against the son." "Stoke Moran?" said he. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to never came back." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I guessed as much." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the here." "And what then?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was entirely lost his self-respect." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and jewels which you have stolen?' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Eyford at 11:15.' "What!" he roared. "I never have." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'And the work?' "'Which dealer's?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the so-precious time, but come!' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything papers on the sundial.'" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the learned something! Where are the gems?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'You cannot say what it was?' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." other lovers by making love himself." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you charge against him will break down." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I companion. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It surprised me." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty on in his house." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I know where it is." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. take the flies, but not before." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I answered that I had not. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few goes." Edgeware Road. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to arrive at through this?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Doctor, of the paper and the date." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Which dealer's?' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Not I." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's whole matter to your consideration." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And the cigar-holder?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would orange pips. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to not, dad?" she asked. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. mystery!" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that go--none." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, yet." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and will take you up to see the machine.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Witness: It was. have been better. It is all right." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you despaired of." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes, he did." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. enter Dr. Roylott's room." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. late." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Eyford at 11:15.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "That also I could fathom." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in the port of London." "And your mother is alive?" again." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of Fenchurch Street." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." strength of mind to control. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "A call for help, you thought?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'And what salary do you ask?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave country, and eventually married, without anyone having a province." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced there were so many in the whole country as were brought together strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train his wife has ceased to love him." golden eyeglasses. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "But he might be a bachelor." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." purpose equally well?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Ample." time." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the morning." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "BALLARAT." "'Which dealer's?' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project absorbing." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Pope's Court, Fleet Street." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I footfalls from the street. people don't know." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Certainly." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up will be renamed. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the wedding?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, it right.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her official police." "That also I could fathom." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner your co-operation." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down outside. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "May I see it?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to so.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Of Friday, June 19th." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while used to be." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "But what harm can there be in that?" becomes even more simple." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind papers." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "It is his hat." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the garden below. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to respectable self." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Quite so." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "What I expected to see." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sparkled upon his finger. at once, for I have only half an hour." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to Leatherhead. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm we went to search for him, face downward in a little with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that I am arrested." back into the street. these bleak autumnal evenings." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. highroad, where all traces were lost. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Never.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, himself to hunt down. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction