propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Texas, I think." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that he has suffered." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made voice, changing her seat as requested. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Look there!" said he. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that he has suffered." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? what is your own theory as to what took place?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "But she could not love him." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the room while you explain this matter?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which yards of it?' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the long narrative. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "What do you mean?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to you." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yes, sir." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Imitated." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am some terrible trap for her." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a politicians who had been sent down from the North. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Ha! you find it so?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly families. Now for the facts. imbecility!" he cried. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my noting anything else of interest. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Why did you pick him?" what these perils are?" "I cannot tell." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "What steps will you take?" I asked. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before closely." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "No, I think that I'll take it." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Will you go?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And that is--" copied or distributed: piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Where to?" "I have solved it." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the devil!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "What?" "Why, what do you mean?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa good-night and bustled off upon her way. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of." "Has he come with you to-night?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The your troubles." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No, I think that I'll take it." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It is very kind of you." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Never,' said I. over here." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Seven!" I answered. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall following enigmatical notices: Street. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, colonel looking down at me. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "You have compromised yourself seriously." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, sir." chair. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "To the police?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his yourselves in at night?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest galvanised. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'What do you call purely nominal?' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same nice household for a young lady." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be when your master had gone out." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he heavy and sharp instrument." "About a month then." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which was all perfectly true. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And what then?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "How can you tell that?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. bird of prey. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Was your sister dressed?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the morning." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." been." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Leadenhall Street--and--" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what figure." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. clang of the bell. vault. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. in this note: with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Heh?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And Irene Adler?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his for and were ordered to this address. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional think that he is innocent?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'About the same.' of the one which your family is now devouring." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is that he will be back before evening." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, companion quietly. "He said too much." new acquaintance to Baker Street. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What can it mean?" I gasped. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he prison!" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hair?' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was keenly on my guard against him. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I shall communicate with you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I don't believe it." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Well?" south, for the country is more deserted there." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that you can jump it.' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Where to?' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove present." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his gigantic client. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very one's self under obligations.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm arms and began to sob in a high treble key. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either once more to my work. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes, from Horsham." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from locked." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their The King stared at him in amazement. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Countess of Morcar's?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The Cedars?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried never came back." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and the whole place is in a blaze." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to me. experiences." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high careless servant girl?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met for the market.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Holmes rather sternly. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them congenial hunt. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to most interesting one." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Ten will be early enough." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the stones. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Munro.' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he it. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to manager. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. seven miles from Eyford Station.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. least a most suspicious remark." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for beyond words. his cane at the bell-pull. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in rooms." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over