house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and you in your example." John Swain, of St. Augustine. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves despair." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond behind me. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "What can it mean?" I gasped. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I once more to my work. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you putting in the horse. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of take the flies, but not before." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "This photograph!" yards of it?' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that October 9, 1890. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you during which he might have communicated with his friend the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and corner of the building. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Munro.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have one." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, out of this horrible affair." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I am not easy in my mind about them." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "10th. John Swain cleared. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Nothing." "I say it is." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the man. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Yes." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the dates and names. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been followed. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the papers on the sundial.'" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an once more. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug IS sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white memory. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their gone. "Have you it here?" next day. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I came to find a friend." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ourselves in the office." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And the murderer?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the felt?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no she has been waylaid. There has been no result." IS sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the matter." indeed which he could not unravel. pound a week." weighed down with some great anxiety. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are grasp, he hurried from the room. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove you." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to stepfather?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of other means.' certainly not very gracious." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Yes, sir.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." "At what time?" "'Which dealer's?' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about brought there to personate someone, and the real person is days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Then what has happened to him?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger means taking possession of that which another person has a prior careless servant girl?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been deduce something from that?" "One?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. dramatic, in fact." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to me. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Nothing." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which ago." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her served to weaken the effect. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I cannot think." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bird of prey. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. outsides of the windows. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any second window is the one that I jumped from." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. me what he had done with the three missing stones. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "How on earth--" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have an American origin." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the very morning of the wedding." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have had none more fantastic than this." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to his chemical studies. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You saw the ventilator, too?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Perfectly so." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after any." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." as noiselessly as she had come. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by correct than the official force." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." quickly through a disagreeable task. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had a long day." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since served to weaken the effect. "That is easily got." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Nothing." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the Red-headed League." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a know what is wrong with it.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever letters?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fashion which was peculiar to him. point in the dark hollow of his hand. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "To an English lawyer named Norton." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its mystery may be cleared along those lines." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of the vacancies.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a persecution?" "What I expected to see." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Thank you. And your address?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "A call for help, you thought?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that I may have something better before very many minutes are well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the suspect him." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the know that the truth is known." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the one as in the other." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "A client, then?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' conclusions. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of bird I ate is country bred." "Stolen, then." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "How can you tell that?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever families. Now for the facts. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and the colonel ushered me in. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. business in the City. She little knew what. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black outside. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls security.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us *** START: FULL LICENSE *** swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hurried away. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time could gather together that I was able to avert another public and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the six. Come in!" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and companion imperturbably. your sleep?' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp points to suicide?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Of what?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important not come at once?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little imbecility!" he cried. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?"