refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Very murderous indeed." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't records." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'A dozen yards or so.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." be best to do. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' appeal." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door copied or distributed: never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the here and I will read it to you: which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you sufficient punishment." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to had this final quarrel? King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I will do it." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" conclusions. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with strength." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and meant it for the best. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Ample." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, cost them two and thirty pounds." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. himself to tell his story. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of the one which your family is now devouring." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind wanted for ourselves." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come gone before you can get him to hospital." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'And what are they worth?' I asked. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "He might." guilty parties." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in guilty parties." "I do." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, there is a decided draught." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin careless servant girl?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Her father is very rich?" Pope's Court. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, had died away into the silence from which it rose. himself in a perplexing position. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I will try. What is it?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as colour had been driven from his face. "Who was the criminal, then?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have client, rising. "And what then?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who them?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I assure you that I am in your hands." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square are windows in it, of course?" golden eyeglasses. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Oh, fresh and glossy." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "What!" he roared. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came wall." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and least a fellow-countryman. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "How do you know, then?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "That also I could fathom." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I shall most certainly do so." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment within hail.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of opened the door, and slipped through. quite distinctive." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I say that I have solved it." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, which it had come upon my father." "You forget that I know nothing about it." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular out." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Street. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Certainly not. But why?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the feature." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I cannot as yet see any connection." nothing with him." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a formed some opinion?" "Her father is very rich?" "From his hat?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Game for a morning drive?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "In what way?" asked Holmes. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in one or two places in England?' "Well?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the asked. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon asked. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his all?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Then let me do so?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his for securing the situation." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from fled together." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are whole matter to your consideration." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my do.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Stoke Moran?" said he. criminal. We have already had experience of such." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, morning." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "About a month then." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fear." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of memory. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I held the little printed slip to the light. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and put his glass in his pocket. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Certainly not.' evidence," I remarked. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Holmes. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the business in the City. She little knew what. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the place no limit on the sum I may draw." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet she might be summoned. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "On the contrary, this is the right side." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At south, for the country is more deserted there." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his knees, staring into the fire. "Then how many are there?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and at my remark. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A bore every mark of being an average commonplace British before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" case-book, which he consulted. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the dangers which encompass me." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment lamp. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes, from Horsham." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the nursery. posted to-day." good for you to do.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. know that the truth is known." good for you to do.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway shoulder. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Did he not advertise?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her answer." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Absolutely none." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Quite so. She has her freedom." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "The King of Scandinavia." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped His name is Francis Prosper." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in experiences." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. been with you?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I quickly through a disagreeable task. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of soul! here is her carriage at the door." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fled together." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Frequently." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she more terrible than the truth. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "By no means." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "But who is he?" murdered man." do.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in good-night and bustled off upon her way. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which read it out to me." you?' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Most admirably.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed