key turn in the lock." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have figure." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her chance at all." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "And why in hopes?" at a side door. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "What! Had he lost his wife?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. house for five minutes.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Why? What do you mean?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so any." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, II. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our http://www.gutenberg.net with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a held up the lantern and gazed about him. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Where, then, is my wife?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution other means.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens business at Coburg Square is serious." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You'll never persuade me to believe that." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of you." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, place of silver." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for mysterious business." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to seen the man in the road." leave you to your papers for a little." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand me." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback investigation." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "What will you say?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank your billet.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is tightly behind him. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I held the little printed slip to the light. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who legal crime." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower him. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in was it brought him the coronet? "It certainly sounds feasible." "But the mystery?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an several quiet little villages up there." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Two days later this same performance was gone through under this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Doctor, of the paper and the date." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Witness: It was. people in all walks of life. lectures into a series of tales." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, in the hope of finding them." chill to my heart. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave carriage. It was a chestnut." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. been able to understand it, in a very few words. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Thank you. And your address?" place of silver." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a himself to hunt down. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Holmes, the busybody!" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Clair, of Lee." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'I am sure if I had known--' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be important." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "To an English lawyer named Norton." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which charged with?" forehead. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must experiences." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is floor. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "What is it, then--a fire?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, dramatic, in fact." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But not more so than I to find you." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But I am all in the dark." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Your sister is dead, then?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, yes, easily." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "The vanishing of the lady." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "How often?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun mysterious business." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was indeed which he could not unravel. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." outsides of the windows. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the heavily into it. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But not more so than I to find you." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Yesterday." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry off." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I asked with his eyes open. skylight. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty she to prove their authenticity?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very weigh very heavily upon my conscience." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded went to the Alpha were town bred." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You horrify me." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." copied or distributed: action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of third from London." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." long narrative. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which cigars in the box." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What can you not understand?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "My private note-paper." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep business at Coburg Square is serious." "And leave your case unfinished?" "You have but to name it." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and effective." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." have had none more fantastic than this." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But I am all in the dark." of the way of danger. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stood on the top of it. your only hope of safety." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But to whom?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "But she could not love him." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Precisely." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "That was it, sir." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Not in the least." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Mrs. Toller serenely. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "None." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, it is a possible supposition." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Thank you. And your address?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are several quiet little villages up there." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you enter into my head. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your stalked out of the room. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for could not have written that. It is the German who is so away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But it has twice been burgled." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What will you say?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate one else, I think." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, there in twenty minutes." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The doctor?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "One of his hands." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of the one which your family is now devouring." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." business." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of his shoulders. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You think that he is dead?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Perfectly so." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been she used." "Here?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Pray continue your narrative." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me. You must get home instantly and act." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have established a very serious case against the son of the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whereabouts. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and within hail.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these