light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch photograph?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the written, and locked the door of the office after me. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of DISSOLVED. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so placed his cuttings. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the tragedy. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of good for you to do.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to next day. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Holmes' room. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the must be when I saw the door open.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." read it out to me." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "A confidential servant?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Why that?' I asks. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A who was a member of your goose club." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in in the dead of the night?' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. once more for Briony Lodge. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A suspect him." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. upon the sideboard." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "10th. John Swain cleared. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was any little problem which you may submit to me." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with happened." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "How did you trace it, then?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, a good hundred miles off by now." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." writers could invent nothing more crude." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Stolen." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Has he come with you to-night?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same think that any burglar could have done. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it right.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." know that the truth is known." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Come in!" said he. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Really! You surprise me." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter recover the gem." "When did she vanish, then?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I should be immensely obliged to you." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, your room." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of clanging. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Well, some hundreds of times." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the roots. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I she to prove their authenticity?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police shadow pass over his face as I spoke. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it individual and becomes the badge of a society." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at guilty parties." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to all that?" the bed, and you in that chair." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A just called myself is not exactly my own." discontent upon his features. heavily into it. chambers. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in wedding?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which unprofitable." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to have that photograph." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "What can you not understand?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "That is not always so easy." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes, from Horsham." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Pray do so." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the Red-headed League." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Of what?" himself to hunt down. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the King without delay." fuss that is made over them." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "How can you tell that?" mystery!" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. dead, shall be safe with us." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is likely to be some crony of the landlady's." closely." "How about poison?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue burst out into a roar of laughter. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I cannot think." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and effective." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "What is it?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It is true that I have been generally successful." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in this note: a little more before I quite committed myself. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Literary Archive Foundation covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that arrangements." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked empty. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the for securing the situation." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "10th. John Swain cleared. leave you to your papers for a little." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets begin with, and I had not got mine yet." careless servant girl?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a floor. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon wedding?" congratulate you again." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It is half-past ten now." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything both be extremely obliged.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes, it would be as well." one of the states of the Union." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You have it, sir, just as it happened." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. tension within him. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I approached. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'And what salary do you ask?' where we are going." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Henry Baker is a member." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But you have hopes?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, straighten it?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, lamp in his hand. matters immensely." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Never to return." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the kindly on the shoulder. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he death." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than disturbance in my wife." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to more terrible than the truth. prepare for the new role I have to play." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you for a few hours?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that I am arrested." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and problems help me to do so." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his which it had come upon my father." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Does that suggest anything?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the as he folded up the epistle. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in his wife has ceased to love him." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And how?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, even so self-evident a thing as that." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms matter." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "He slept on the premises." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "In the cells." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or was it brought him the coronet? lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up ceremony." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The landlord of the Alpha." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were your equipment. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." grasp, he hurried from the room. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, any little problem which you may submit to me." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" ceremony." call you and give you the chance." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Most admirably.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Certainly not. But why?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "And your father? Did you tell him?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." are, and they are waiting for us." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Of Friday, June 19th." "Did he not advertise?" "Come in!" said Holmes. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Miss Holder?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United plantation.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was know what is wrong with it.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I cannot say that I have." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your clang of the bell. and looked back. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes, the wine-cellar." infinite languor in his face. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It is possible." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I leave." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I cannot imagine." stood on the top of it. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "What I expected to see." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I never have." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I unkempt, staring out at me. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has certainly do as you advise." to Leatherhead. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few