Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, John Swain, of St. Augustine. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "What will you do, then?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the one as in the other." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, with you alone." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting could not have written that. It is the German who is so know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get present." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. rooms." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I will get her to show me." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the recover the gem." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some jewels which you have stolen?' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'In my own bureau.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, must be when I saw the door open.' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." handed it to him. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You horrify me!" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Mary, has deserted me." "'You cannot say what it was?' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But I have heard all that you have heard." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter have not had my rubber." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. October 9, 1890. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. The summons was a brief and urgent one. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite my friend's incisive reasoning. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "The knees of his trousers." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'As governess?' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I matter." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark place of silver." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Never." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good south, for the country is more deserted there." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in one or two places in England?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hair?' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in laugh and put his lips to my ear. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is him!" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my have had none more fantastic than this." so.' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of washing it down with a long draught of water. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be it." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast nonsense.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in manager. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the better in every way that they should make their position a little protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "But what will you do?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What of the rat, then?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which entirely devoid of interest." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to take care of herself." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic see a sister of mine apply for." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Do you know him?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have charge against him will break down." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Then I am your man." exactly what you advise." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to-night?" I asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Then how many are there?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too silent! Oh, he will be silent!' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes, but only for you and me." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "About a month then." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry putting in the horse. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting used to be." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it States. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "My stepfather's business papers." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote companion. "Perfectly so." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And why?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the little opening for the ventilator is." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hands. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "The rest you will leave in our hands." "When did it break out?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after points to suicide?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: trifles." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. acted in my house last night?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the whereabouts. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I have my revolver," said I. nice household for a young lady." "Was the window open?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There waste of energy." "'Yes.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the desk. "And I to find an enemy." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all asked. this as likely?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No sign of it?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Pray do so." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The rest you will leave in our hands." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You are hungry," I remarked. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have nonsense.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. placed his cuttings. and have this put in the evening papers." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear residence of the great financier. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone read it out to me." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to-night?' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in notes," he said. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very coroner's jury." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "How about poison?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'And the work?' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to a more successful conclusion." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not floor. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his grey eyes. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "And how in the world did you find them?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two could go. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "A confidential servant?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said he, "my real name is James Ryder." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is very clear." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What have you to say now?" "Frequently." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chair. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand train.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Nothing." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "At what time?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between together. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of His smile broadened. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "An accident, I presume?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official arms and began to sob in a high treble key. DISSOLVED. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I nodded again. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which more solid." "Witness: I must still refuse. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close front of the hall door has given its name to the place. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded security.' "I will not look." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it footfalls from the street. upon the shelf for the interim." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen bearing upon the case." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of this gang." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the upon a handsome competence. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and it need not interfere very much with one's other who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, guilty one." to his chemical studies. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It is a murder, then?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little money should be paid at once.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great client, rising. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" that he will be back before evening." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?"