"I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are for securing the situation." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon nothing with him." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I will, Miss Turner." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Most admirably.' Munro.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," helping a boy to put up the shutters. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had McCarthy." "'Most admirably.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and been with you?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I was sure that I might rely on you." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Ample.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the stones. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Your presence might be invaluable." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Proceed, then." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project brain must have something in it." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Surrey." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "One of his hands." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "No." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one green of the new foliage. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'In my own bureau.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, some city in a dream. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, help us in this matter." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Texas, I think." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning along the entire front of the house, with three long windows happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and the church but not where the lady lived." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found asked with his eyes open. "Thank you. Pray proceed." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wedding?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own to-night?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to back into the street. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative bare slabs of marble. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It is true that I have been generally successful." "They are typewritten," I remarked. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "In answer to an advertisement." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly have been better. It is all right." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm tied." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? then?" your Highness to the police-station?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there in this way: equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "We have tried and failed." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No more words. Get out!" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I cannot as yet see any connection." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "How did he come?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that important." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper man. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And why?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But I am all in the dark." shoulder. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the behind me. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Can I be of assistance?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague quite distinctive." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "That's no good." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Where to?' better grown goose." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his writing, and yet I know it well." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine because she had spent so short a time in this country that she mysterious end." go back?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience bare slabs of marble. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Miss Holder?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four throat." I held the little printed slip to the light. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the stable lane now." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would any." is a common subject for conversation. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "When did she vanish, then?" not personally threatened." you." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was it brought him the coronet? There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Stolen!' he cried. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Farm upon the left." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Not in a good cause." "I would give my fortune to have them back." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the both be extremely obliged.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, article?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "What, then, did Peterson do?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has showing my impatience. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case awkward doing business with an alias." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and wait." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the best of training." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Precisely." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the forebodings. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. wedding?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting charged with?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking now. It seems that there had been some informality about their lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what side. "No." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I business?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "You'll never persuade me to believe that." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, too. Street. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in breakfast." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to place of silver." "Where did he live, then?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old rooms." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "A greater distance to travel." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "The gentleman I describe." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that bed dies. Does not that strike you?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent his wife has ceased to love him." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, been shamefully used." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque tassel actually lying upon the pillow. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out ordinary clothes on?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and no precautions can guard against." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I shall be delighted." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." chance." it were putty." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the station." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hands. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to one of the states of the Union." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Why did you beat the pavement?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and there." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It's nothing of the kind." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban read over the extraordinary announcement. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "If so, much may have happened between." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while murdered man." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "How are you getting on?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "What will you say?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk