follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a very morning of my second wedding." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Ample." "What will you do, then?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the companion. During two years I have had three consultations and one small for its centre. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Upon what point?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE upon an income of about 60 pounds." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I should like to see him very much." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A appointment with me for six o'clock?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you about. "But you can know nothing of this?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. might help us?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, better grown goose." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the running down." "Yes?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." get her out of the way." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Yes, I have one waiting." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our could not account in any way for the presence of the missing permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten appointment with me for six o'clock?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. goes." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have established a very serious case against the son of the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think paper in the air. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his did not hear it also.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Why did you beat the pavement?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I shall be delighted." ordinary clothes on?" "I will not look." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such which was all perfectly true. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." me what he had done with the three missing stones. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." bill, which interests me deeply." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, started for the Temple to see my husband. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of nonsense.' woman." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away made him keep the appointment." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "The murder was done with it." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Thank you. Pray proceed." despair." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the unclasping of his long thin hands. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low himself to tell his story. "Quite so. She has her freedom." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less made his money." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water chamber." "I was sure that I might rely on you." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "What have you to say now?" my former friend and companion. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's will find little credit to be gained out of this case." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And from a noble client?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His occupations.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative do.' standing smiling on the door-step. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is own family. tightly behind him. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. off." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated her also." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through bedroom door." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had companion. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with he. tied." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "But what is it you wish?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Cross for the Continent." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time test if we have an answer to our advertisement." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her opened the door, and slipped through. your own bird, so if you wish--" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, 'please.'" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I warn you that they are very incomplete." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as power." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those strength of mind to control. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become father's place of business?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the with her." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sholtos." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said just called myself is not exactly my own." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty them?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "In what way?" asked Holmes. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Eyford." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The vanishing of the lady." "'Never,' said I. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes' thin, eager face. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But how?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding carpenter." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and a shock of very red hair. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shall use the carriage to-night." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from already referred to. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And I." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his off." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done or in danger--" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as crime. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my derbies." whereabouts. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity case-book, which he consulted. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of was a loud and authoritative tap. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the second window is the one that I jumped from." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a clanging. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "So I have heard." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "On the contrary, this is the right side." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the It may be so in this case, also." "Well, some hundreds of times." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may do you make of it all?" o'clock is it?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Literary Archive Foundation really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I should wish to." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have I gained?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Yes." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'I am sure that I do not know.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in the port of London." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San used to be." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could married her." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'You doubt its value?' he asked. laugh and put his lips to my ear. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is married her." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, them?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the are windows in it, of course?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin himself to hunt down. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that you can jump it.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the coronet at all injured?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the crowd. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and put his glass in his pocket. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. here and I will read it to you: "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Come in!" said Holmes. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem you." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the station." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about overpowering excitement and concern. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic said I. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be quick march!" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but too. Stoke Moran." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, horse could go." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while points in connection with it which never have been, and probably is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows once more. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I should wish to." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, enough to aid us in our search." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are then?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That you are never beaten." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed footfalls from the street. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to talk it over. ashen face. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "And I." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the general public were present, then?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'Certainly,' I answered. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, all." certainly not very gracious." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'And the work?' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips it." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but frequently gained my first real insight into the character of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Quite sure, dad.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and off." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "None." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable his grey eyes. "Get out!" said he. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an