original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "BALLARAT." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and it need not interfere very much with one's other before the coroner and the police-court." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is yards of it?' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it matters immensely." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ventilator." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "What then?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and glanced through. way in everything. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the coronet in his hand?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the stable lane now." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be awkward doing business with an alias." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock strength of mind to control. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power least a most suspicious remark." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to night.' said he. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Thank you. And your address?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Leadenhall Street--and--" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Why, it's a dummy," said he. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in a friendly supper." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." it. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "The vanishing of the lady." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' been shamefully used." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "But you can know nothing of this?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "How do you know, then?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the ceiling. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached nothing of it?" "Never." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Countess of Morcar's?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Miss Holder?" chamber." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and anything to do with the matter?" will be renamed. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit me. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." third from London." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap mystery." occupations.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Not at all. I only doubt--' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Here?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at security.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society himself to tell his story. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Holmes' thin, eager face. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit without a word or a look. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And what did you see?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary wall." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "No." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said minor matters until to-morrow." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men works. See paragraph 1.E below. License. You must require such a user to return or "It is half-past ten now." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day this poor creature." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the reach." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the was lame." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other here." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to enough to aid us in our search." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another will he say when he returns?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What! You do not mean bodies?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "That also I could fathom." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes' thin, eager face. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste trying to your nerves." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." you?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep not interfere, come what may. You understand?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And is that all?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the drawing your inferences." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have an American origin." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Then I can wait in the next room." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm your co-operation." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." which we had just quitted. at my remark. "Precisely." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He said too much." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "How did you deduce the select?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Pope's Court, Fleet Street." me upon any point which I do not make clear." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Yes, at the mines." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the union?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the exactly what you advise." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hard-headed British jury." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Pray continue your narrative." villagers almost as much as their master. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." time." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It is very kind of you." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Chief Executive and Director together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' on re-entering her father's house?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. is a common subject for conversation. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. problems help me to do so." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears all that?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was lame." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "The best possible." very old mansion. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You forget that I know nothing about it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And it is--" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his despaired of." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you eat it." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to criminal. We have already had experience of such." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Ha! you find it so?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Your presence might be invaluable." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the heavily into it. in the dead of the night?' secret." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her some mystery and the punishment of some crime." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Frequently." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "No legal papers or certificates?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a murdered man." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But neither fascinating nor artistic." During two years I have had three consultations and one small last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any late!' said he. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and laid it on the table. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And when will you call?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. which our visitor detailed to us. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If security.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Come in!" said he. "And leave your case unfinished?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my there has been an enclosure here!" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" gives a meaning to it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Countess of Morcar's?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in answered with a sidelong glance. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "From his hat?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project fattened it expressly for you.' breakfast?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and both be extremely obliged.' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it with his own hands." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a forehead. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "And when will you call?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this stalked out of the room. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. mystery." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it said he at last. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much acted in my house last night?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" asked. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'I am sure that I do not know.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free."