"'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But how did you gain them?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. leaning back in his chair. I took the paper from him and read as follows: the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers sooner or later she must fall a victim. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a good hundred miles off by now." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country advice." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work key turn in the lock." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Tired-looking or fresh?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." place of silver." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. away to you." danger is over." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just forecastle of an emigrant ship. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sound at heart." vanished into the darkness. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Not I." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not crime. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so there." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Perfectly so." "Imitated." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days obstinate." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the little opening for the ventilator is." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have got?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I was sure that I might rely on you." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "And how did he make his money?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." with you?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And for present expenses?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that your room." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lectures into a series of tales." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and started for the Temple to see my husband. photograph a cabinet?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "His face fell immediately. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is very kind of you." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the time." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No. What a strange idea!" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "That's no good." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in tear off another piece?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There papers." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had seven miles from Eyford Station.' What do you deduce from it?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in darkness. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Which dealer's?' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while name is different." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. to take care of herself." despaired of." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a have not had my rubber." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you came in." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "She will not sell." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the one as in the other." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson records." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in the hope of finding them." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was shining brightly. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in laugh and put his lips to my ear. Gutenberg-tm License. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up like gravel from a pit.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to she used." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Pope's Court. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now him nearly every evening." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It once more. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the envelope. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Did you observe the colour?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Who by?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of the one which your family is now devouring." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally ashen face. "'There is a drive, then?' highroad, where all traces were lost. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in his hands." entirely devoid of interest." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And I say east," said my patient. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed returned to France?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment persecution?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently his cane at the bell-pull. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my both be extremely obliged.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns someone who had been in Australia." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency guilty one." something of him before." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to-night." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I have come for advice." jewels which you have stolen?' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I have a cab outside." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." again before evening." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in his power. and a shock of very red hair. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic against a man in the prime of life?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a advice." "And from a noble client?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary License. You must require such a user to return or gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What do you mean?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and was keenly on my guard against him. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our forbidden door. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "At half-wages, in fact." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself never came back." "Yes." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'What do you call purely nominal?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the bare slabs of marble. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Gutenberg-tm License. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "His face fell immediately. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at what these perils are?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the window, rose as we entered. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder bonnet, and went out." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him British peeress.'" hour." and have this put in the evening papers." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Of what day?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do in a friendly supper." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this be. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, hurried by. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! father's young wife. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Edgeware Road. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, green of the new foliage. back to my heart. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social any." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would occurred." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious there was no need for father to know." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Yes, I have one waiting." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an do you make of it all?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek business at Coburg Square is serious." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, already been minutely examined." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" asked. "Of Friday, June 19th." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are it." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, on in his house." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." chambers. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and society." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and