but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I was afraid that you were engaged." III. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' get the tickets." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there such attractions and accomplishments?' your own bird, so if you wish--" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It's nothing of the kind." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning good for you to do.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have mystery." despair." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business was keenly on my guard against him. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell call you and give you the chance." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you both be extremely obliged.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be strode off upon his way. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "On your arm?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking take the flies, but not before." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face remarked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Then he might have called to you?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I came to find a friend." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a yourselves in at night?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that becomes even more simple." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to talk it over. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be colour had been driven from his face. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' events than those which have happened in my own family." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No, distinctly professional." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Certainly." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall papers must be those that are destroyed.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had waste of energy." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible The King stared at him in amazement. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And I." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. possible that we could bring him back to her? his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in the hope of finding them." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the corner of the building. "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, be best to do. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying way: "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'What do you call purely nominal?' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the coroner come to?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that there in twenty minutes." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Certainly." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net details." had formerly been in part my own. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Your French gold?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house had picked up in the wood. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and wait." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But she could not love him." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable carpenter." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked murdered man." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Again Holmes raved in the air. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not true." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was compunction about shooting them down." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson out of this horrible affair." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each American. Then who could this American be, and why should he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "And you can do nothing until then?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But your client--" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his knees, staring into the fire. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. noble correspondent could be. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'I am sure if I had known--' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom my friend's incisive reasoning. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fasten all the windows?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I am all attention, madam." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands any little problem which you may submit to me." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It is his hat." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it 1.E.9. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And how?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." murdered man." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you companion. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin good for you to do.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes be there in time for your coming." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but new duties?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "There is the writing." if she died from some sudden fright." "What steps will you take?" I asked. me have 200 pounds?' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a strong reason behind." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Ah, but I was recommended to you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'What do you call purely nominal?' said he. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I answered that I had not. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. gigantic client. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face geese which you supplied to the Alpha." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found conversation I have gathered that they have been married about once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "When did it break out?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted copied or distributed: "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I am all attention, madam." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Where to?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back appeared upon the scene." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with you alone." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." status with the IRS. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Absolutely none." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "A call for help, you thought?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to them, and came down just as you departed. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes, at the mines." hour?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival answered with a sidelong glance. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I For additional contact information: to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all crime. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do roused himself from his reverie. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to take care of herself." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the so.' young Openshaw's." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "That is unusual in a young girl." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And I." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Where, then?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread had no one to advise her at such a crisis." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the cup of tea. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so husband's writing, madam." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most away in different directions, and I went off to make my own everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us McCarthy." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets voice, changing her seat as requested. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line shaken than I had ever seen him. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I am not easy in my mind about them." "You horrify me." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been once more to my work. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end."