unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the suspect him." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Could he throw no light?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I see no marks." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be McCarthy's innocence. "No, I am descending." matter." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Certainly, madam." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having ago." "Entirely." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the so-precious time, but come!' derbies." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And why?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a face and glided from the room. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Frequently." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then you may be so with me." one which it was hard to resist. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "That is it on the dressing-table." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms crime. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's ways of our fellow-men." case-book, which he consulted. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere will not take me long to tell. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. power." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and I shall be with you presently." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had extraordinary contortions. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "You have a clue?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that important." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' to miss it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, place of silver." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Certainly." questioning and rather startled gaze. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Dr. Becher's." never came back." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the warnings." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide papers." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Dirty?" morning." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't more terrible than the truth. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fuss that is made over them." "What is it?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in happened." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to that open window." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to at home. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, writing, and yet I know it well." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And did you observe any change in her then?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Absolutely?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped see a sister of mine apply for." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The lips." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not with you?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in clang of the bell. outside. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "To the police?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "In what way?" asked Holmes. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the third from London." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to for and were ordered to this address. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the directors, with the result that you have seen." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to tell." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Pray let us have it, for all that." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "A call for help, you thought?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a not personally threatened." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "She walked into the breakfast-room." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock License. You must require such a user to return or erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my interests were the same as his." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside mystery!" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to a more successful conclusion." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Miss Holder?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, said he at last. "There are none." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with beg that you will break it off." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, enter into my head. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And Miss Sutherland?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that beyond words. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of this gang." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone have I gained?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in served to weaken the effect. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And from a noble client?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, one else, I think." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Yes, I promise.' to talk it over. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Do you know him?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And how did you find out?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start me, and I could not think that his explanation of the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, stammered. chair. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You were travelling in the States?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And sit in the dark?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern digesting their breakfasts at home." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, closing the door. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the very morning of the wedding." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the Friday. Was it to be in church?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and such person." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I shall continue with my miserable story. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project breakfast?" success. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Precisely." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I have it here in my museum." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are completely overtopped every other consideration that we both his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. again." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stammered. upon an income of about 60 pounds." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in your London, you will know that the office of the company is present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, would apply.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his ran thus: "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight extraordinary contortions. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the night.' said he. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bachelor.' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey business at Coburg Square is serious." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! you." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and tightly behind him. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. seen the man in the road." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had formerly been in part my own. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Very. But will he see it?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him nearly every evening." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom lumber-room." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I leave." instituted." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "When did it break out?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the coronet at all injured?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining what do you think they found in the pockets?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I have seen the police." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side letters?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I was mad--insane." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was galvanised. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which he. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that he has suffered." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It is a murder, then?" gone. I took the paper from him and read as follows: creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" DISSOLVED. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up