despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "What can it mean?" I gasped. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "VIOLET HUNTER." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." acted in my house last night?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I you for a few hours?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted likely to be some crony of the landlady's." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Not particularly." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Nothing." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution villagers almost as much as their master. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "None." "Why, what do you mean?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No bad?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the experiences." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, be.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." a little more before I quite committed myself. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at remarked. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable acquaintance?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it them?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and hurried by. "What then?" miles off. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the chance at all." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we at my remark. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was it brought him the coronet? "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was shall not find me ungrateful." "She will not sell." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "How on earth--" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera not interfere, come what may. You understand?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the King without delay." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before how narrow had been my escape. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of this gang." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "By no means." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I carriage. It was a chestnut." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "And now?" He raised his hand. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower it were putty." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clanging. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as habit of advancing money.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different served to weaken the effect. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the next day. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the annoyance, but no jest. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet his cane at the bell-pull. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my former friend and companion. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that there was nothing in it, after all." to-night?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And what then?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it death." presume?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From laugh and put his lips to my ear. if she died from some sudden fright." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always emerged. place of silver." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with you?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Was the window open?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." other means.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "By no means." really the only notable feature about the thing." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. leaning back in his chair. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But she could not love him." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, but China?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. felt the room to be a little close.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, at once, for I have only half an hour." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No, I think that I'll take it." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Dr. Gregory B. Newby said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. reach." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin fishes. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal disappearance of the bride.'" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Certainly, madam." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "How many? I don't know." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Ten will be early enough." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What village inn over there?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my fuss that is made over them." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, me. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." trying to your nerves." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the tragedy. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day married her." "You have a clue?" acquaintance?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Quite so." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in the port of London." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have mystery!" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Indeed! Whose, then?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I all that?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Perfectly so." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to have that photograph." leave you to your papers for a little." populous neighbourhood." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Always." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens think you a quite exceptional woman." like gravel from a pit.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of the one which your family is now devouring." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I guessed as much." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to arrive at through this?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was of his shoulders. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Who by?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord shadow pass over his face as I spoke. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat three fields round his house, and there he would take his only touch the interest." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear at once, for I have only half an hour." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging father's place of business?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I your billet.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Nothing." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of to-night." vanished into the darkness. "'Certainly,' I answered. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. waste of energy." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes?" "My opinion is in no way altered." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become presented more singular features than that which was associated of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty photograph a cabinet?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "9th. McCauley cleared. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You horrify me!" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I trifles." words came to my lips. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred province." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always showing my impatience. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the vanished into the darkness. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the reach." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and said he. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square security.' "'Yes.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I if only as a check to my own memory." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the