"'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But who is he?" "What have you to say now?" awkward doing business with an alias." writing, and yet I know it well." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come foot. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to-night?" I asked. "'Certainly,' I answered. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from this Miss Turner." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof everything which you would wish to know." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try compunction about shooting them down." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I am sure." he bowed and left the room without another word. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and sparkled upon his finger. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her both be extremely obliged.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is back to my heart. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again His smile broadened. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not come at once?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Quite so. She has her freedom." during which he might have communicated with his friend the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "And for present expenses?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The how narrow had been my escape. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Miss Holder?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had lids now and glanced across at his visitor. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "So I have heard." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon conclusions. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Come in!" said he. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I was sure that I might rely on you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they union?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the very morning of the wedding." developed." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock formed some opinion?" amused." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to back alive. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily tell me that you intended to go into harness." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." that?' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Pray do so." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "What is it, then--a fire?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A photograph a cabinet?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of ran thus: sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fluttered off among the others. "No." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." developed." your sleep?' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But it has twice been burgled." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "We must have a cab." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We http://gutenberg.net/license). of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had directly by questioning you." "No good news?" had a long day." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. extraordinary contortions. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is nonsense.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the stones. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the society." morning." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "My opinion is in no way altered." fact, we may call it conclusive." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his indeed which he could not unravel. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "But what harm can there be in that?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of depend upon my doing so.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon back into the street. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and a shock of very red hair. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But you can know nothing of this?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since sofa. This way, please!" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting absorbing." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom foresight and the moral retrogression?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The King of Scandinavia." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "And how in the world did you find them?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was used to be." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But how?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice absolutely follow my advice in every respect." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though himself to tell his story. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution held up the lantern and gazed about him. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy burst out into a roar of laughter. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was persecution?" noble correspondent could be. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And your father? Did you tell him?" main points of my analysis." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. purpose of examination. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, photograph?" all that?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Who was the criminal, then?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have a cab outside." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek outside." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I have it here in my museum." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the stable lane now." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I think it very unlikely." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "We have tried and failed." photograph?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "That is also quite modern," said the lady. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And I to find an enemy." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that business." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "There is the writing." said Mr. Holder. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I should be immensely obliged to you." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and more terrible than the truth. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. trifles." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Who by?" hair?' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked grasp, he hurried from the room. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the DAMAGE. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "You have compromised yourself seriously." foot. and the colonel ushered me in. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as your billet.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I don't believe it." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small whereabouts. "It is very clear." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What, then, did Peterson do?" "To an end?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "No. His orders were to stay in the house." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. correct than the official force." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ways of our fellow-men." hands. key of the affair now." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Does that suggest anything?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect developed." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those been shamefully used." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your his huge brown hands. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Did you observe the colour?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Ha! you find it so?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that, and I came down." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in narrative." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Heh?' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the salesman. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Yes." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in this way: "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You have but to name it." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'You cannot say what it was?' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her entirely devoid of interest." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Cross for the Continent." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will asked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see may have an influence upon European history." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and chill to my heart. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to a more successful conclusion." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his she to prove their authenticity?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could empty. "'In my own bureau.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I have my revolver," said I. in this note: father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project himself to hunt down. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, During two years I have had three consultations and one small this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Proceed, then." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings *** START: FULL LICENSE *** wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes union?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the been." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, but China?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress rooms." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. is a common subject for conversation. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "One of the highest in England." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." had a long day." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in been shamefully used." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lost his Christmas dinner." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird copied or distributed: matters immensely." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if