would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned him, that man would not have given me such complete information consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No. What a strange idea!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the ceiling. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "How do you know, then?" see a sister of mine apply for." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A appeal." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It came here." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning went to the Alpha were town bred." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "You have the photograph?" "Not yet." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "No legal papers or certificates?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Where, indeed?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between matter over." "What can it mean?" I gasped. experiences." than was visible to me." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and there in twenty minutes." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our James Windibank. Voilà tout!" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so not within a twentieth part of the market price." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. true." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to telegram would bring me down to your help." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in the port of London." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my events, Mr. Windibank!" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'It is locked up,' I answered. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. newspaper selections." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the would apply.' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "That was it, sir." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "How can you tell that?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Stolen, then." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the were new raised from a basin. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had subject to the trademark license, especially commercial in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "But she will refuse." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning never came back." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow prove to be little relation between the different incidents of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in never will be, entirely cleared up. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a monotonous occupation." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I am sure." chill to my heart. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he behind me. man. I know him from the photograph." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no pierced for earrings?" union?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a remarked. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call better grown goose." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at closing the door. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her extraordinary contortions. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the window, rose as we entered. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I have come for advice." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its out." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the reach." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying are, I think, all that we need." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the here and I will read it to you: "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own arms and began to sob in a high treble key. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Ten will be early enough." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil to have been novel and of interest." of a light. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of one's self under obligations.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Witness: Nothing definite. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, there was no need for father to know." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "My last client of the sort was a king." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, which was all perfectly true. villagers almost as much as their master. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to possible that we could bring him back to her? to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, people don't know." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Seven!" I answered. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had results." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "In San Francisco, a year ago." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number detective. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Of what?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his records." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Then I do not see the point." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" help us in this matter." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Again Holmes raved in the air. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning spark where all is dark to me." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Deserted you?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck yet." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Really! You surprise me." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party outbreak?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was it brought him the coronet? minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." business." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. unclasping of his long thin hands. interested in these little problems, and since you are good clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face me. You must get home instantly and act." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise crackling voice. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "That you are never beaten." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was already answered. "Texas, I think." front of me. place no limit on the sum I may draw." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. know that the truth is known." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his your only hope of safety." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But she will refuse." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the very morning of the wedding." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was details." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in which was all perfectly true. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No, I think that I'll take it." been with you?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Well, some hundreds of times." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" him!" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as acted in my house last night?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Has he come with you to-night?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by think, you have already met." directly by questioning you." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Nearly eleven." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of detained." "No, I am descending." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Not yet." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and no precautions can guard against." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. go back?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt get her out of the way." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were ways including including checks, online payments and credit card go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" forbidden door. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which our visitor detailed to us. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Not in the least." "So I have heard." of campaign. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. ran thus: hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But you have hopes?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of the one which your family is now devouring." furiously. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Then I do not see the point." happened." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid six. Come in!" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little gone. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is read it out to me." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." future lives." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Imitated." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." take the flies, but not before." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that is four-and-twenty." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the towards the blaze. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What! Had he lost his wife?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so call for it in person on Monday morning.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But how will you look?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You were travelling in the States?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' him. the window, rose as we entered. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Do you receive much company?" he asked.