"'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you placed his cuttings. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another I held the little printed slip to the light. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means cup of tea. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and all of them with the keenest interest. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit enter Dr. Roylott's room." "But we can't all be." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have written, and locked the door of the office after me. sound at heart." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "To an English lawyer named Norton." "No, thank goodness, she did not." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bedroom door." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the name is different." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Stolen!' he cried. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he cheerful." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that reach." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom ways including including checks, online payments and credit card recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "On your arm?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, our word." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out fat-encircled eyes. "But your client--" narrative." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly head. So long, then!" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards when your master had gone out." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has were new raised from a basin. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I will not look." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in. tension within him. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy easy-going way." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father status with the IRS. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' questioning and rather startled gaze. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with attention." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while letters?" "Yes?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were entirely devoid of interest." you?' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while but preventing her from injuring another. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You think so, too?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, just ask you whether you had heard it.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he your billet.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." events than those which have happened in my own family." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! galvanised. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. any little problem which you may submit to me." door?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in will take you up to see the machine.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and served to weaken the effect. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Quite so." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Why did you pick him?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project breakfast." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "At the wedding breakfast." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Nothing?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand business?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who bird of prey. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "The Cedars?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which our visitor detailed to us. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It is very kind of you." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. bears upon the case?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent this poor creature." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told excitement. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman may have an influence upon European history." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Not in a good cause." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his fortune, and I went back to pa. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice locked." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Married! When?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Which dealer's?' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what examine." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Gutenberg-tm License. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "He might." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his What do you deduce from it?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he were unconscious?" back alive. "Not yet." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And why in hopes?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." events, Mr. Windibank!" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a crime." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my may have an influence upon European history." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of Mr. Rucastle's." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked delirious. his eyes and forehead. "My own seal." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I was sure that I might rely on you." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has danger is over." "But to whom?" one which it was hard to resist. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons clang of the bell. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of the vacancies.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But how?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Did you become engaged then?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure His smile broadened. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' 1.E.9. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Where to?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an during which he might have communicated with his friend the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "By train from Waterloo." you?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence been able to understand it, in a very few words. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly maid will bring up your coffee." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in his hands." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "VIOLET HUNTER." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." what I may call a really hard day's work." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom article?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' other means.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with derbies." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those see a sister of mine apply for." "None." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I present." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker straighten it?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Why did you beat the pavement?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "No, but the enclosure is." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to Leatherhead. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And why in hopes?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES very peculiar words of the dying woman?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, union?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Street. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that threaten you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been throat." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, was used.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'I shall certainly be there.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stammered. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'There is a drive, then?' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but