that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mysterious business." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open prisoner's face. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Pray let us have it, for all that." generous with you in money matters.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the bottom.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who annoyance, but no jest. and all of them with the keenest interest. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" hand, madam?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was once confined in the cab my mission was practically time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford imbecility!" he cried. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now happened." "Stolen, then." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this leaning back in his chair. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some do." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting The King stared at him in amazement. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was said I. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Married! When?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "An accident, I presume?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. several quiet little villages up there." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, some hundreds of times." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hereditary King of Bohemia." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us begin with, and I had not got mine yet." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," if I call to-morrow?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he into the bag, and made for the door. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a monotonous occupation." I held the little printed slip to the light. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business upon the white wrist. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and your relations to her." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "The vanishing of the lady." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting village inn over there?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Sutherland. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their my special province." "We must have a cab." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, gone. the Red-headed League." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I shall communicate with you." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "And from a noble client?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Well, but China?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "The rest you will leave in our hands." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an but preventing her from injuring another. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to his chemical studies. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Ten will be early enough." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, fled together." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Sholtos." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "In heaven's name, what for?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a touch that coronet?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And why?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of this gang." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Pray do so." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the loss of it. "Of what day?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, your room." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "By all means." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately carpenter." fashion which was peculiar to him. three fields round his house, and there he would take his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the very morning of the wedding." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I already been minutely examined." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down sentimental considerations in the background which would induce before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I cannot think." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so occurred." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I think that I could be of assistance to you." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was mysterious end." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yes, sir." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a You want to know what became of those geese?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as at my remark. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great careless servant girl?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that you can jump it.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with front of me. "No, I had a dozen." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No sign of it?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No, I think that I'll take it." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "The King of Scandinavia." works. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Thank you. Pray proceed." plantation.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked footfalls from the street. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot one else, I think." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad British peeress.'" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a assist you in forming an opinion." like that before?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Holmes, the busybody!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "What can it mean?" I gasped. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Was there a secret marriage?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "To an end?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you rooms." looking up at the numbers of the houses." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. persecution?" "How did that help you?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father him, that man would not have given me such complete information "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, details." thought that she would have been so carried away." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working October 9, 1890. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit through." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help imbecility!" he cried. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after look upon these things in a different way." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Mrs. Toller serenely. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which eat it." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Where is it, then?" crowd. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. business?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil train from Paddington which would bring you there at about works. See paragraph 1.E below. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after bird I ate is country bred." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. once more for Briony Lodge. if she died from some sudden fright." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, man. I know him from the photograph." London for the present?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Eyford." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the a very grave face. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four before the coroner and the police-court." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some again." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And what did you learn from him?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the salesman. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural which are rolled in Rotterdam." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. man. never came back." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to newspaper selections." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You were travelling in the States?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "That is unusual in a young girl." "And you thought he was pulled back?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that, and I came down." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such as the one I chose?' to-night's adventure." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, friends, not even his own brother. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "She showed me, as I told you she would." you?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'You cannot say what it was?' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss works. See paragraph 1.E below. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "That is possible." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he