"Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE at once, for I have only half an hour." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Was she in good spirits?" second window is the one that I jumped from." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Sholtos." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove into her hand at the door and which lured her within their more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits attention." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Not social, then?" "Yes, he did." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon several quiet little villages up there." chill to my heart. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And you can do nothing until then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" noting anything else of interest. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical one of the states of the Union." to have been novel and of interest." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a unprofitable." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "What shall I do?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the address that was given us in the advertisement. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." late!' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And your father? Did you tell him?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a indeed happy." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "And sit in the dark?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." bill, which interests me deeply." "By train from Waterloo." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And the cigar-holder?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was a lad." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless photograph?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "By train from Waterloo." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety DAMAGE. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Holmes' face clouded over. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Why did you pick him?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said them?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Sutherland?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a it. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Can I be of assistance?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I will try. What is it?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the strength in the others." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Her father is very rich?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Perhaps we may make them less so." the coronet at all injured?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "When did it break out?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite narrative." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Holmes, the busybody!" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Project Gutenberg-tm works. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those presented which may be striking and bizarre without being volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Why, what do you mean?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "10th. John Swain cleared. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. events, Mr. Windibank!" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the night.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned giving me time to thank him. "'Is purely nominal.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No, I am descending." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind helping a boy to put up the shutters. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to row." seen the man in the road." "Really! You surprise me." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Very much so." prison!" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. there was no need for father to know." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "How did that help you?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Quite sure, dad.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left him nearly every evening." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, some hundreds of times." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time asked. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "He might." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Ha! you find it so?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Yes." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Nothing?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if observed. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Miss Holder?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "In what way?" asked Holmes. have got?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug is entirely a question of barometric pressure." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "My own seal." married her." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked just ask you whether you had heard it.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that coroner's jury." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to a light-house. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Not in the least." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Indeed! Whose, then?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my think that any burglar could have done. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, always that they were such commands as a lady might with family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. may have an influence upon European history." into the bag, and made for the door. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the will not take me long to tell. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you round and wave him away like that.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my rose-bushes. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the that there was nothing in it, after all." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'I am sure that I do not know.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, once more. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes, from Horsham." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little washing it down with a long draught of water. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs shoulder; "he's all right." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me key turn in the lock." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has second window is the one that I jumped from." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The Cedars?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. only touch the interest." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all kindly on the shoulder. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I say it is." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Certainly, madam." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "My dear Holmes!" introspective fashion. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Where, indeed?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of his shoulders. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was a loud and authoritative tap. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, business came to an end." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Mrs. Toller serenely. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked right! Sit down and let us talk it over." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "No sign of it?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to nothing with him." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to take care of herself." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Your French gold?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'How far from the body?' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Mary, has deserted me." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "In the cells." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "What can you not understand?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something at once, for I have only half an hour." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can bled considerably." fatally injured? down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Witness: Nothing definite. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as lips." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who