the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," is four-and-twenty." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." unprecedented a position." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I works. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. appeared upon the scene." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "So it appears." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No bad?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in the dead of the night?' to-night?' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." experiences." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so his grey eyes. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "There are none." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of hereditary King of Bohemia." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and an introduction to him?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" success. "And you don't know his address?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror villagers almost as much as their master. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." locked." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I. south, for the country is more deserted there." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have one's self under obligations.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Get out!" said he. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I villagers almost as much as their master. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." But Holmes shook his head gravely. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "No sign of it?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have one." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Not him." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A these bleak autumnal evenings." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Ten to two.' "Absolutely?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the as noiselessly as she had come. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It is true that I have been generally successful." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "One of his hands." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "No sign of it?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of works. See paragraph 1.E below. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have prove to be little relation between the different incidents of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a chance." when your master had gone out." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never call you and give you the chance." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what garden below. jewels which you have stolen?' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged business at Coburg Square is serious." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And did you observe any change in her then?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money depend upon your compliance." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his know what is wrong with it.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this seen the man in the road." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that your billet.' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No good news?" investigation." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are is a common subject for conversation. "It came here." brandy and water within his reach. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Never.' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no straighten it?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such III. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, confronted him. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the bed, and you in that chair." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a touch that coronet?' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that there was nothing in it, after all." respectable self." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "But of what society?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was shall use the carriage to-night." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and weapon." Holmes rather sternly. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Holmes rather sternly. were wasted." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is no ordinary one." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked been deceived." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of companion quietly. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, time." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from this poor creature." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Where, then, is my wife?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there DISSOLVED. The King stared at him in amazement. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long simple cases which are so extremely difficult." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Ample." occupations.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, quick march!" "How did you trace it, then?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than note?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Precisely." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. once more to my work. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the inner apartment." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Entirely." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "We must sit without light. He would see it through the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "A thing like a cleaver," said he. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down noble correspondent could be. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the King without delay." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so might have a private word with us. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure seen the man in the road." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock go from here to the Strand." "Really! You surprise me." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I have my revolver," said I. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of for its centre. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done place of silver." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Witness: I must still refuse. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "But your client--" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It is a murder, then?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head any more." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Quite sure, dad.' very morning of my second wedding." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I beg pardon." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, he did." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "What!" he roared. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Whose house is it?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently breakfast." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were showing my impatience. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, III. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "My dear Holmes!" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Stolen!' he cried. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You think so, too?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition suspect him." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to tell." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all anything to do with the matter?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "But she could not love him." for securing the situation." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Nothing." pierced for earrings?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I cannot imagine." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for crackling voice. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Nothing?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and developed." "To an end?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, States. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear must compliment you." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It certainly sounds feasible." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'As governess?' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 way in." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to