surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and visitors." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just ready to-morrow?' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was shining brightly. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion strength in the others." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have John Swain, of St. Augustine. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the my special province." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you for a few hours?" key of the affair now." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his cane at the bell-pull. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend late!' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But he might be a bachelor." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Your French gold?" weapon." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. it. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, other lovers by making love himself." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Leadenhall Street--and--" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at which we had just quitted. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I will try. What is it?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I was concerned in it." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Then I can wait in the next room." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now o'clock is it?" to-morrow." companion. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of them has the shutters up.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very narrative." shoulder. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I would pay ten." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he than to us. mystery may be cleared along those lines." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by do.' "Precisely so. But how--" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens details." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had present." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "No." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the your billet.' some city in a dream. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through presume?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." some city in a dream. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Serpentine Avenue. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which our visitor detailed to us. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It is no ordinary one." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman she used." in his power. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation You can understand that this register and diary may implicate question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for introspective fashion. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "No." business came to an end." "Dark enough and sinister enough." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very outside. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and laid it on the table. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. formed some opinion?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among intrusion of other matters." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven any more." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would returned to France?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should bill, which interests me deeply." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell mysterious end." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is leave you to your papers for a little." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk within hail.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "And Miss Sutherland?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Heh?' "My dear Holmes!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" enter Dr. Roylott's room." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Witness: It was. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Does that suggest anything?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sufficient punishment." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Stolen, then." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you his knees, staring into the fire. sufficient punishment." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 1.F. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen be there in time for your coming." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I am about to be married." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "My Mary? Impossible!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "What of the rat, then?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the wall." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** assist you in forming an opinion." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a which are rolled in Rotterdam." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which should have the effect of calling the attention of the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "None." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a pressing in one house as in another. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I have hopes." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have I gained?" his cane at the bell-pull. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do when you have done it." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Then, as to money?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed them?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Of what day?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not chambers. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his forehead." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to gentleman's clothes. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in gone before you can get him to hospital." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward voice. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things little adventures." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to late!' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that?' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort there were so many in the whole country as were brought together quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the child." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "My own seal." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and good-night and bustled off upon her way. society." it means?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" narrative." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'There is a drive, then?' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they depend upon your compliance." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "What!" he roared. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man stepfather?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should it were putty." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: or other trace. But how on earth--" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall even so self-evident a thing as that." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, up this clue while it is still hot." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter definite end. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." mystery!" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate