serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a said he. "Very murderous indeed." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Heh?' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is begin with, and I had not got mine yet." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the leave you to your papers for a little." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "A client, then?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of at once, for I have only half an hour." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Do you know him?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man beyond words. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "What of the rat, then?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many details." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The vanishing of the lady." clang of the bell. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, already been minutely examined." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally him and tried to hold him back. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "When did she vanish, then?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the general public were present, then?" own family. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on once more. asked. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his knees, staring into the fire. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It is possible." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and key of the affair now." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The Coroner: What do you mean? is worth.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I respectable self." you?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "But you can know nothing of this?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty should be taken.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he business matters.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set which we had just quitted. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "No." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Certainly not.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be me. You must get home instantly and act." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "It is solved." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, be sorry for having acted so harshly." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Oh, the cause is excellent!" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the His name is Francis Prosper." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over better grown goose." "An accident, I presume?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous The King stared at him in amazement. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What! Had he lost his wife?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that your co-operation." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and weary and pale-looking. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Entirely." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Then you may entirely rely on me." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as like gravel from a pit.' "And that is--" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. your co-operation." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Gutenberg-tm License. "But not more so than I to find you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to that open window." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we not as remarkable as your advertisement." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "And why in hopes?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I never have." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this were unconscious?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." which are rolled in Rotterdam." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San you, my dear young lady?' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Where is it, then?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I becomes even more simple." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend you." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. confronted him. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hereditary King of Bohemia." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then through." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of comes from the middle window." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Clair, of Lee." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Leave Paddington by the 11:15." important." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On occurred." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting compunction about shooting them down." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our were unconscious?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "This concluded the examination of the witness." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost weapon." unkempt, staring out at me. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I think that I could be of assistance to you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than have been better. It is all right." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect cup of tea. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the Assizes." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another have accepted such a situation. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the carriage. It was a chestnut." Stoke Moran." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client populous neighbourhood." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. seem to you to be relevant or not." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon strong and stiff." I approached. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' you want, then?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round photograph a cabinet?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "There is the writing." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Breckinridge is his name." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any directors have had misgivings upon the subject." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The woman." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The doctor?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had when your master had gone out." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or think, you have already met." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Yes, it would be as well." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to talk it over. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, London for the present?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this than to us. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "He might." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "The rest you will leave in our hands." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "From his hat?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten business." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Sutherland?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." but preventing her from injuring another. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I as he folded up the epistle. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Pray do so." "Your sister is dead, then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Murdered?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may we went to search for him, face downward in a little rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At lamp. "Well, it is a possible supposition." said he. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place burst out into a roar of laughter. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. me where it went to?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Never." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." kind enough to tell me what I should do." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Countess of Morcar's?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'You cannot say what it was?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight room?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "She will not sell." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of delighted to hear it," he said. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And what did you see?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything