rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on secret." trying to your nerves." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the knowledge of the world." "Where did he live, then?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bird of prey. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the http://www.gutenberg.net where Mr. Fordham shows you.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running so far?" had picked up in the wood. "It certainly sounds feasible." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall breakfast?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. himself to hunt down. forbidden door. British peeress.'" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Do you know him?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to to-night?' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no derbies." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not threw himself down with his face to the pillow. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander attention." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the your only hope of safety." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." cheerful." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have is a common subject for conversation. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "How about poison?" redistribution. may never be exposed to such a temptation." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Have you her photograph?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Countess of Morcar's?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual tear off another piece?' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The murder was done with it." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of might have a private word with us. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I constraint." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ran thus: To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard depend upon your compliance." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Not social, then?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over house for five minutes.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I. late!' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, criminal. We have already had experience of such." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "And how in the world did you find them?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own up this clue while it is still hot." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for evidence," I remarked. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "It certainly sounds feasible." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "No." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which something of him before." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There is the writing." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "What then?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "The gentleman I describe." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and together. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those trying to your nerves." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "It is his hat." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they green of the new foliage. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key dear old homesteads?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. think you a quite exceptional woman." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "In the cells." green of the new foliage. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely III. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that key of the affair now." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers noble correspondent could be. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is half-past ten now." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Then, how do you know?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a chair. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Proceed, then." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the child." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a visitors." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a overpowering excitement and concern. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage again before evening." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and next day. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to such attractions and accomplishments?' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in my life." people don't know." one's self under obligations.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Of what?" carried out of court." in the port of London." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first The King stared at him in amazement. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to at once, for I have only half an hour." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him congenial hunt. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to maid will bring up your coffee." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "That was it, sir." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But his left-handedness." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself results." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He all-comprehensive glances. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless pound a week." forehead. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the someone who had been in Australia." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and no precautions can guard against." take the flies, but not before." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. article?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Not him." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You are all wrong." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you in your example." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the him, that man would not have given me such complete information desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his dead, shall be safe with us." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. used to be." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the unclasping of his long thin hands. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and be.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to little adventures." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. together. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to already been minutely examined." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, upon a handsome competence. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." his grey eyes. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Is 4 pounds a week.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards had no one to advise her at such a crisis." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "What of the rat, then?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Dr. Becher's." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No, finished." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. nonsense.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is my former friend and companion. "Come in!" said Holmes. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. bird of prey. and glanced through. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I cannot think." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can read it out to me." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in three of the beryls in it, was missing. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, father's place of business?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. there!' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You have compromised yourself seriously." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or them present such singular features as the strange train of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the your billet.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the bed, and you in that chair." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had suspect him." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A evidence," I remarked. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that I nodded again. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first less than 26s. 4d. whereabouts. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Count Von Kramm." "I will, Miss Turner." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Breckinridge is his name." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Bought." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "What will you do, then?" heavily into it. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the