"And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the business." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is a very grave face. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and everything which you would wish to know." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would chemical work which was so dear to him. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said But Holmes shook his head gravely. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very well, sir. And this stone?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "No." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It missed him, then?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "What, then?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I shall communicate with you." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider http://www.gutenberg.net until night should bring an explanation. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. name is different." "Witness: It was. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in his hands." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how made him keep the appointment." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I held the little printed slip to the light. "Your sister is dead, then?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. shoulder; "he's all right." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the have I gained?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "It is true that I have been generally successful." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "How about poison?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I will, Miss Turner." "They are typewritten," I remarked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." colour had been driven from his face. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The your bag." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the as noiselessly as she had come. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." with you?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and charged with?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of fatally injured? "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "What, then?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Holmes." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my done what I asked you, Jones?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes closing the door. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the highly," said Holmes. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'Which dealer's?' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the peculiar to him. "Was your sister dressed?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Never to return." "How did that help you?" mystery!" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my room." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than digesting their breakfasts at home." IS "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the emerged. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'What are you doing there?' he asked. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for companion quietly. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It is possible." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was it brought him the coronet? over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have there has been an enclosure here!" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. appeared upon the scene." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' easy-going way." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of whole matter to your consideration." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not get the tickets." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by I shall communicate with you." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Where does the thing come from?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, late!' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org money should be paid at once.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most case before our client came into the room." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future over part of the map. "What do you read?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It was." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, mysterious business." in his power. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'What then?' I asked. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Get out!" said he. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in me. You must get home instantly and act." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I am following you closely," I answered. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "In heaven's name, what for?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hard-headed British jury." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of hopeless attempt at recovering them." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of not come at once?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 1.F. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting these bleak autumnal evenings." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Was your sister dressed?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." within hail.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there walking." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who will be renamed. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Stolen, then." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the very morning of the wedding." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the morning and make my own way in the world.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came again before evening." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a back alive. "That's no good." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy daring than any effort of the imagination." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said searched, without anything being found which could incriminate means taking possession of that which another person has a prior look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the reach." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that one which it was hard to resist. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the British peeress.'" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." any little problem which you may submit to me." in his hands." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Yes." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood directly by questioning you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, minor matters until to-morrow." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Yes, certainly." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." would apply.' "Very much so." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out for the market.' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yesterday." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when me." "Absolutely none." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some key of the affair now." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and could go. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door with the outside air!" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It looks newer than the other things?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As this as likely?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bachelor.' one else, I think." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us beg that you will break it off." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Not yet." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated least a fellow-countryman. "And I to find an enemy." hands. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed nice household for a young lady." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I have hopes." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and me upon any point which I do not make clear." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I came to find a friend." "How about poison?" it were putty." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Ha! you find it so?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that back to my heart. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my opportunities to fix the problem. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was is a common subject for conversation. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until appointment with me for six o'clock?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped four million human beings all jostling each other within the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." bedroom door." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts,