the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "My dear Holmes!" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "And Irene Adler?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "By all means." be there in time for your coming." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "If I can be of use." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Where is it, then?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left into her hand at the door and which lured her within their thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "No. What a strange idea!" corner of the building. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, forebodings. page at http://pglaf.org "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Pray do so." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Nothing?" evidence," I remarked. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Stolen, then." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Do you receive much company?" he asked. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I cannot tell." goes." "Then how many are there?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the prepare for the new role I have to play." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, me. You must get home instantly and act." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Why did you beat the pavement?" some city in a dream. should be so warm over such a trifle." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was used.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' late." "And the murderer?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What will you do, then?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes, it was twisted." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "We must sit without light. He would see it through the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" strength of mind to control. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Again Holmes raved in the air. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Proceed, then." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Ten to two.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be signal between you and your father? here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon from you?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "An accident, I presume?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What is it, then--a fire?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. too. "Precisely." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very ventilator." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the inquest, and which are worth considering." of them has the shutters up.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" comes from the middle window." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then what has happened to him?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes could not account in any way for the presence of the missing vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that, and I came down." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And why in hopes?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I took the paper from him and read as follows: girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the is acting for the best. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is one which it was hard to resist. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I am all attention, madam." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch other lovers by making love himself." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the it with his own hands." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." hard-headed British jury." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of address. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I green of the new foliage. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair directly by questioning you." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off these bleak autumnal evenings." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt so.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet villagers almost as much as their master. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "What can it mean?" I gasped. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of had formerly been in part my own. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." colonel looking down at me. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was someone who had been in Australia." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was beyond words. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations burst into a hearty fit of laughter. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. crowd. speckled band?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows skylight. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his secret." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes, it would be as well." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we might have a private word with us. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence strength." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "That was it, sir." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "On the contrary, this is the right side." your troubles." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so what these perils are?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Well." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. your sleep?' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch him and tried to hold him back. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Never." never to learn it at all." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it right.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Yesterday." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and inquire as to the address." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "How do you know, then?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Why? What do you mean?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Just look it up, then." six. Come in!" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Whose house is it?" "Yes." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to money should be paid at once.' "The Cedars?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Certainly,' I answered. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I have solved it." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the weapon." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of this gang." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "What office?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got back alive. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in him." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and For additional contact information: and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have entirely devoid of interest." chill to my heart. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Count Von Kramm." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Which are?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to see me here to avoid scandal." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never bird of prey. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" man. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had said he, "my real name is James Ryder." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of them has the shutters up.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some weapon." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, later, upon the night of May 2nd." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the both be extremely obliged.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Did you become engaged then?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "By all means." "Nothing?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and was keenly on my guard against him. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Of what day?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Then what has happened to him?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that I may have something better before very many minutes are shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of back into the street. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you writing, and yet I know it well." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled this as likely?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the one as in the other." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds events than those which have happened in my own family." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by intrusion of other matters." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may for the market.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed there when the Rucastles went away." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security