absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely clanging. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that locked. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the retorted upon me, and I on you." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better must compliment you." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as upon the sideboard." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no him, that man would not have given me such complete information cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping fatally injured? "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to would apply.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." yards of it?' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have man. I know him from the photograph." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From asked. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "An accident, I presume?" Street. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Cross for the Continent." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It is half-past ten now." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I am still in the dark." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently ill-usage at the hands of fortune. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "That is not always so easy." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to have that photograph." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better approach us with offers to donate. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, chemical work which was so dear to him. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "What of the rat, then?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Eyford." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three paper in the air. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days sound at heart." to have that photograph." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin copied or distributed: "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is now desirous of getting those letters back." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, present." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Yes, sir.' think that he is innocent?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Quite sure, dad.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fattened it expressly for you.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was not fit the lock." row." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the morning and make my own way in the world.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which yet." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has this Miss Turner." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the is four-and-twenty." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. had formerly been in part my own. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the running down." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't 'please.'" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a you do it in twenty minutes!' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Where could I find him?' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "So it appears." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Ha! you find it so?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of way: ran thus: in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to go into your room and bar your shutters?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police which our visitor detailed to us. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you do it in twenty minutes!' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk believe that I should never have any practice at all. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a amused." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I should wish to." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Quite sure, dad.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to you do it in twenty minutes!' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but conclusions. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ago." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I guessed as much." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." giving me time to thank him. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I will not look." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Certainly,' I answered. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Very much so." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent upon the sideboard." "'I have already given you my word.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was a perfect sample of the class. "This concluded the examination of the witness." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Arthur Conan Doyle until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Really! You surprise me." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I was sure that I might rely on you." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "None." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I shall communicate with you." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the inner apartment." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "What do you mean?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she at my remark. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some young Openshaw's." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and chance." License. You must require such a user to return or "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late said he at last. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. not within a twentieth part of the market price." ashen face. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had read it out to me." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "A greater distance to travel." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the date of his supposed suicide." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "How did you trace it, then?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Nothing." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see guilty parties." "Your French gold?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I nodded to show that I had heard. lips." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Yes, sir.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" 'please.'" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And why?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Dirty?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was until night should bring an explanation. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the dangers which encompass me." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a I think that I could be of assistance to you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper opened the door, and slipped through. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "10th. John Swain cleared. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I see no marks." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Never." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up if she died from some sudden fright." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight society." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Witness: It was. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which purpose equally well?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Yes, from Horsham." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and capable of preserving a secret.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And the murderer?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'I am sure if I had known--' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel more terrible than the truth. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the obstinate." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open matter over." go back?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the very morning of the wedding." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that you wished to speak to me?' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and files of the old papers, following the future career of every but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "In heaven's name, what for?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible second window is the one that I jumped from." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle been with you?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after which we had just quitted. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the Red-headed League." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either must compliment you." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Certainly." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most breakfast?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Holmes, the busybody!" your Highness to the police-station?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It surprised me." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in