a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain read it out to me." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said both be extremely obliged.' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Very much so." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who purpose of examination. hardly wander." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, me have 200 pounds?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No sign of it?" "Holmes, the busybody!" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him who was a member of your goose club." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to footfalls from the street. "I will, Miss Turner." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his present." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." morning." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Nothing." used to be." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He business matters.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes. He waved his hands." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came plantation.' notes," he said. "You forget that I know nothing about it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. round and wave him away like that.' lamp. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Yes." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed relief. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this manager. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me interest. They are important, you understand, without being in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The best possible." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never you found me to-night--and running through the front room she sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through in this way: very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You did not overhear what they said?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "VIOLET HUNTER." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey beg that you will break it off." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. opened the door, and slipped through. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to morning." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Where did he live, then?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements you." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we stammered. key turn in the lock." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who for the market.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good distance from the station, and there we found the young lady allusion to a rat. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, spare." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I death." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the records." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes' thin, eager face. go back?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'I shall certainly be there.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in business at Coburg Square is serious." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All answer." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." papers." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in might help us?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a distinguish the words: sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Ten will be early enough." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my me what he had done with the three missing stones. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. held up the lantern and gazed about him. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Where could I find him?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The Cedars?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it colonel looking down at me. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." is four-and-twenty." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Awake, Watson?" he asked. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "What!" he roared. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending when your master had gone out." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hereditary King of Bohemia." "I see no marks." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his this poor creature." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly said he at last. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "VIOLET HUNTER." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat direction." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." chambers. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the fait accompli?" "Certainly, madam." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he died? stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to tackle the facts." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It came here." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account than to us. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so your room." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It girl said." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of was a lad." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my interests were the same as his." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the morning and make my own way in the world.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'How far from the body?' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to take care of herself." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in the hope of finding them." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy investigation." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." roused himself from his reverie. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The death." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the loss of it. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "In heaven's name, what for?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not upon an income of about 60 pounds." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! himself to tell his story. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the King without delay." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I am still in the dark." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he hour?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope points in connection with it which never have been, and probably he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, ordinary clothes on?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular should be so warm over such a trifle." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner own family. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to brain must have something in it." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly delirious. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' villagers almost as much as their master. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Certainly." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed! Whose, then?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that down. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn what do you think they found in the pockets?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The Coroner: What do you mean? reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Won't it ring?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" shaken than I had ever seen him. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, where she found matters as described by the last witness. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Stolen." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. spare." tail." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I would pay ten." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." asked. felt?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "How are you getting on?" purpose of examination. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in States. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down been able to understand it, in a very few words. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."