sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Yes, sir.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have one." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "And leave your case unfinished?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "A client, then?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle maid will bring up your coffee." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I approached. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I this remarkable episode. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in this way: an introduction to him?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps in a friendly supper." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I respectable self." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if country, and eventually married, without anyone having a could not have written that. It is the German who is so the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, ventilator." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I am still in the dark." "Stolen, then." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call any more." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Do you receive much company?" he asked. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my notes," he said. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "What office?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lost nothing by them." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise be there in time for your coming." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing mystery." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid carpenter." "Yes." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Stolen, then." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Well, but China?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with papers on the sundial.'" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "And how in the world did you find them?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Quite sure, dad.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. cost them two and thirty pounds." "I don't say that. Perhaps." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in my life." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the 'please.'" fait accompli?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a pictures, libraries, or plate. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a examine." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Eyford at 11:15.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could http://gutenberg.net/license). correct than the official force." "She will not sell." washing it down with a long draught of water. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "But she will refuse." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two suddenly upon us." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Chief Executive and Director comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to corner of the building. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'I have already given you my word.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "None." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Is he quiet?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out is now desirous of getting those letters back." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." answered with a sidelong glance. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached desk. a monotonous occupation." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hurried away. few hundred pounds.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get eat it." astonishment. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money habit of advancing money.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the coronet in his hand?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I held the little printed slip to the light. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. key of the affair now." "Texas, I think." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some said I. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his unclasping of his long thin hands. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And you can do nothing until then?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police emerged. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Pope's Court. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss call it cruel." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features from you?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and effective." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, shaken than I had ever seen him. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "None." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "We must have a cab." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir existence." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But present." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I have hopes." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a highly," said Holmes. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough speckled band?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my speckled band?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in you in your example." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "What can you not understand?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to where he stood hid behind the curtain. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present new acquaintance to Baker Street. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Does that suggest anything?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. quick march!" gentleman's clothes. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are was a lad." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses girl said." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll miles off. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a over here." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the room while you explain this matter?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I shall continue with my miserable story. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by despair." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." him and tried to hold him back. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A flock.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "But how will you look?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward disturbance in my wife." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Yes, it would be as well." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I that I am arrested." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'And the work?' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his me have 200 pounds?' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his himself to hunt down. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "But who is he?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up me have 200 pounds?' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "That you are never beaten." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening way in everything. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." most interesting one." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Well." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not narrative." and effective." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, him nearly every evening." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'What then?' I asked. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sneer upon his pale face. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And now?" I asked. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from them?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers,