hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "He is dead," cried several voices. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make straighten it?" mystery." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." persecution?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which conduct the inquiry." like that before?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "One of the highest in England." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to change my dress. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You are certainly joking, Holmes." address. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, but the enclosure is." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Is he quiet?" of this gang." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after opened the door, and slipped through. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The becomes even more simple." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning derbies." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Then I am your man." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'You cannot say what it was?' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It must be recovered." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again British peeress.'" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I should wish to." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; asked with his eyes open. him." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was business." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Her father is very rich?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe washing it down with a long draught of water. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face detained." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year vague figure huddled up in the darkness. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of the efforts of the United States government and of the better were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my done what I asked you, Jones?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it with his own hands." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed right! Sit down and let us talk it over." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she showing my impatience. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Then I can wait in the next room." laugh and put his lips to my ear. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It looks newer than the other things?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers lamp in his hand. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite indeed happy." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, was feeling which was the fattest.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." official police." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their trying to your nerves." pierced for earrings?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Perhaps we may make them less so." "My dear Holmes!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must here and I will read it to you: His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as security.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That you are never beaten." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My stepfather's business papers." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "That you are never beaten." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if several quiet little villages up there." helping a boy to put up the shutters. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer ways of our fellow-men." his fortune, and I went back to pa. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "How did that help you?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "ARAT," I read. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the sofa. This way, please!" "Did your wife hear all this?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Edgeware Road. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H she to prove their authenticity?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his fortune, and I went back to pa. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that your Highness to the police-station?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "You saw the ventilator, too?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I into the room. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. entirely devoid of interest." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "In the cells." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Again Holmes raved in the air. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have down from London to inquire more deeply into it." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Holmes' face clouded over. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I have one." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Quite so." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the whether it answered to the description of any of their his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "She showed me, as I told you she would." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And Miss Sutherland?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and not come at once?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Stolen." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And now?" He raised his hand. "Ten will be early enough." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It is half-past ten now." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set society." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And how have you succeeded?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest business matters.' outbreak?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You were travelling in the States?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Certainly, madam." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Tell me all about it,' said I. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to arrive at through this?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'I am sure if I had known--' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was stammered. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Never." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they prove to be little relation between the different incidents of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer strong and stiff." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there which we had just quitted. name is different." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" be sorry for having acted so harshly." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here her also." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I was sure that I might rely on you." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ways of our fellow-men." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and jewels which you have stolen?' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Yes.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" ran thus: English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." it." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Cross for the Continent." bell. Holmes whistled. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon my friend's incisive reasoning. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Who by?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hereditary King of Bohemia." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and generous with you in money matters.' writer." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the disappearance of the bride.'" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they face and glided from the room. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the house for five minutes.' "But to whom?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really again on its way. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who conclusions. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And when will you call?" "I cannot think." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable colonel looking down at me. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "We have tried and failed." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That's no good." has little to do with my story." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: done what I asked you, Jones?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' will he say when he returns?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Ample." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That something of him before." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You been lifted and conveyed somewhere." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It is true that I have been generally successful." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, call you and give you the chance." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so do.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Yes, that is the Crown." from you?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, to have that photograph." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in his hands." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a possible that we could bring him back to her? accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Was there a secret marriage?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "From his hat?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes, only one." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came