performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He works. See paragraph 1.E below. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but throat." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods writers could invent nothing more crude." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who that the gas is not laid on in his house?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic for and were ordered to this address. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "On Monday." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "She will not sell." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." matters immensely." rose-bushes. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself returned to France?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "And what then?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached there were so many in the whole country as were brought together astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons paper in the air. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face villagers almost as much as their master. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your at home. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I hurried away. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Of what day?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But you have hopes?" ago." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass lamp. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror all?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a window when the police appeared." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand present." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes, certainly." disappearance of these gems?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'What, the red-headed man?' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my than to us. "Entirely." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE shag which I had seen upon the previous night. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Is purely nominal.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "9th. McCauley cleared. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Entirely." entirely devoid of interest." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible yet." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Never." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Not in the least." been shamefully used." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yes." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which peculiar to him. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have been better. It is all right." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the drawing your inferences." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present bed dies. Does not that strike you?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was keenly on my guard against him. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, My friend smiled. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "At half-wages, in fact." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in his hands." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray at a side door. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I am following you closely," I answered. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It must be recovered." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes, but only for you and me." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" strode off upon his way. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "That's no good." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection stood on the top of it. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly troubles have been weighing upon his mind. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "What?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of always that they were such commands as a lady might with time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then my friend's incisive reasoning. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, garden below. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. unkempt, staring out at me. "What! a murderous attack?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If you." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the depend upon my doing so.' "What will you do, then?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to come either from the window or the door. My attention was moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his absorbing." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in a very precise fashion." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "By no means." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you be.' disappearance of these gems?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Precisely so. But how--" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Then let me do so?' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the me upon any point which I do not make clear." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have been better. It is all right." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The vanishing of the lady." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No more words. Get out!" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Proceed, then." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I father's place of business?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my your billet.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "About a month then." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It must be recovered." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Well, but China?" which was all perfectly true. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the prepare for the new role I have to play." questioning and rather startled gaze. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and put his glass in his pocket. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, key turn in the lock." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one absorbing." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he used to be." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Will you bet, then?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my matter over." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place lids now and glanced across at his visitor. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, occupations.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the garden below. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and least a most suspicious remark." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "To an end?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in bare slabs of marble. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the cigars in their mouths. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he signal between you and your father? Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far what I may call a really hard day's work." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to next day. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from asked. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And when will you call?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could works. See paragraph 1.E below. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. started for the Temple to see my husband. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for companion imperturbably. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was congenial hunt. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an eat it." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his beg that you will break it off." absorbing." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I think that it is very probable." "But it has twice been burgled." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of words came to my lips. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Whose house is it?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the matter?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Watson," he said cordially. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, behind me. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds manager. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend British peeress.'" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old