neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Very good.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "And what then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." horse could go." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "You don't mind breaking the law?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, crackling voice. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Heh?' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Stolen!' he cried. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away second." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are question," said Holmes, smiling. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Why did you pick him?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded pictures, libraries, or plate. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'I am sure if I had known--' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The Coroner: What do you mean? "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I was certainly surprised to find you there." his forehead." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a people don't know." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his hardly wander." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Where to?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holmes." see me here to avoid scandal." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the indiscretion." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No, but the enclosure is." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting could gather together that I was able to avert another public from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stammered. despair." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "But how did you gain them?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot think." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "My photograph." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to that open window." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, never came back." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Then let me do so?' better in every way that they should make their position a little ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a annoyance, but no jest. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that wedding?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sooner or later she must fall a victim. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Nothing." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at once, for I have only half an hour." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Was there a secret marriage?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal were new raised from a basin. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not may never be exposed to such a temptation." if she died from some sudden fright." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I delirious. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical more solid." hurried away. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the running down." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of Fenchurch Street." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he would then never go into court at all." he died? speckled band?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced there in twenty minutes." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Stolen!' he cried. I held the little printed slip to the light. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Munro.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Nothing." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's families. Now for the facts. "In what way?" asked Holmes. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman 1.E.9. as he folded up the epistle. little trying to do so much typewriting?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked companion imperturbably. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his if I call to-morrow?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our here and I will read it to you: corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ventilator." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from careless servant girl?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some completely overtopped every other consideration that we both events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them me. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Was he the only applicant?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated that you can jump it.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in leaning back in his chair. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Perhaps I have." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all habit of advancing money.' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a cup of tea. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Where to?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the King without delay." fluttered off among the others. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Why that?' I asks. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, knowledge of the world." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to tell." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my assist you in forming an opinion." there!' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. this Miss Turner." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "What is it, then--a fire?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The knees of his trousers." entirely devoid of interest." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Won't it ring?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I figure." "Where to?" shall not find me ungrateful." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "By train from Waterloo." what is your own theory as to what took place?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, the cause is excellent!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign murdered man." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "What steps will you take?" I asked. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hopeless attempt at recovering them." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope fait accompli?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for arrangements." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with formed some opinion?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, some hundreds of times." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Entirely." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You did not overhear what they said?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the make me his representative both with the servants and with the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "How about poison?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is or in danger--" detained." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one she to prove their authenticity?" you." "Not in the least." "Yes, from Horsham." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I question," said Holmes, smiling. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'I have heard so.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Farm upon the left." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the system of imprisonment?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "You were travelling in the States?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle had a long day." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, heavily into it. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an as yours." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter yourselves in at night?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent said he at last. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it you for a few hours?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost roused himself from his reverie. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You did not overhear what they said?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have jewels which you have stolen?' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I say it is." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which was all perfectly true. "It is possible." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell pity, because in other respects you would really have done very from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he right! Sit down and let us talk it over." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so mystery!" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Where does the thing come from?' past. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he never will be, entirely cleared up. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to me. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Sholtos." the King without delay." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this once more. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pierced for earrings?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'In my own bureau.' than to us. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." lips." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Do you know him?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this direction." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "We were both in the photograph."