with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at your troubles." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' stalked out of the room. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I nodded to show that I had heard. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the sound at heart." annoyance, but no jest. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But she could not love him." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put golden eyeglasses. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the acted in my house last night?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You heard nothing yourself last night?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the your equipment. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I am all attention, madam." could go. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You forget that I know nothing about it." really the only notable feature about the thing." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of receipt of the work. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is there." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father jewels which you have stolen?' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang results." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, imbecility!" he cried. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the depend upon your compliance." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "How did you trace it, then?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the what is your own theory as to what took place?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining even so self-evident a thing as that." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular points to suicide?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the running down." hard-headed British jury." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "So I am. Very much so." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Witness: Nothing definite. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let long narrative. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and floor. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bears upon the case?" never came back." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my said he. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A your billet.' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should himself. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. forehead. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. room. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I cannot tell." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me disappearance of the bride.'" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Perhaps I have." room. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which was all perfectly true. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "At what time?" papers on the sundial.'" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited His name is Francis Prosper." "Will you go?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland arrested. You then--" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." was keenly on my guard against him. redistribution. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Holmes' room. showing my impatience. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one come either from the window or the door. My attention was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." think that he is innocent?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I should like to see him very much." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." new acquaintance to Baker Street. presume?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "You horrify me." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, time." have I gained?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his trying to your nerves." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the exactly what you advise." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when character. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "She will not sell." became a certainty. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you pound a week." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his him to be an active member of the medical profession." was already answered. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "That's no good." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the roots. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can in this note: in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here putting in the horse. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained It may be so in this case, also." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of know all about it," he snarled. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias said he. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Serpentine Avenue. "Yes." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You horrify me!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Seven!" I answered. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it where she found matters as described by the last witness. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the good-night and bustled off upon her way. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'And the work?' village inn over there?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the coroner come to?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you purpose of examination. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting so.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You have but to name it." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and that he would see to anything that turned up. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Get out!" said he. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project corner of the building. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a nonsense.' "Why serious?" lamp in his hand. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "It is a murder, then?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Nothing." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near indeed which he could not unravel. third from London." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the room?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my little problems." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that our word." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Very. But will he see it?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Very much so." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Was she in good spirits?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "So I heard. You have him here?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped quickly through a disagreeable task. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Breckinridge is his name." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were in. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. again, where I was soon asleep. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the driver. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "My own seal." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have I gained?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they himself in a perplexing position. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." back into the street. "Of what?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No. What a strange idea!" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of Mr. Rucastle's." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Stoke Moran?" said he. awkward doing business with an alias." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man good for you to do.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." despair." License. You must require such a user to return or "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to change my dress. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which used to be." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and effective." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." again on its way. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "What?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I should wish to." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke