have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wedding?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "It is half-past ten now." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. jewels which you have stolen?' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Why? What do you mean?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the during that time.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and the colonel ushered me in. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes." noble correspondent could be. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal leave you to your papers for a little." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is girl said." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall without success. At last the little money which I had saved began at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Never." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove jewels which you have stolen?' any more." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Only as much as we can deduce." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not question. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. society." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. secret." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'You doubt its value?' he asked. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over carpenter." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Where to?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open four million human beings all jostling each other within the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "But how did you gain them?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the loss of it. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Really! You surprise me." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "So I heard. You have him here?" respectable self." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons drove away. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There affair. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I cannot imagine." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Very. But will he see it?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that I am arrested." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred once more on the important position which you have been fortunate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I will try. What is it?" was not a bird to be seen there. the salesman. "Then I am your man." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' placed his cuttings. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Where did you address your letters, then?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I am about to be married." your billet.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the so-precious time, but come!' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of fine shops and stately business premises that they really analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to again, where I was soon asleep. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Precisely so. But how--" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey brandy and water within his reach. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in his power. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it were putty." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And how did he make his money?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Where, indeed?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, strong reason behind." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such she might be summoned. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. them?" fear." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'There is a drive, then?' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my friend's incisive reasoning. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew back alive. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" death." which our visitor detailed to us. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gigantic client. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, detective. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. http://gutenberg.net/license). exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and the colonel ushered me in. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is This is what he says: breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have detective. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Eyford at 11:15.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Absolutely none." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You heard nothing yourself last night?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "You have but to name it." "At the wedding breakfast." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "But what is it you wish?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving weapon." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. business." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the devil!" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And is that all?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask not as remarkable as your advertisement." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging swore that no one else had been in the front room during the awaited us upon the table. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to business came to an end." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'And what salary do you ask?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, late!' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Awake, Watson?" he asked. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." confronted him. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. know that the truth is known." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the gone before you can get him to hospital." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of gone. "I have seen the police." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Come in!" said Holmes. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "None." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to individual and becomes the badge of a society." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was unkempt, staring out at me. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as one which it was hard to resist. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up down in his armchair and closing his eyes. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Holmes rather sternly. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You have but to name it." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He is still with you, I presume?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a be sorry for having acted so harshly." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for better grown goose." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will have established a very serious case against the son of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when redistribution. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Yes, sir.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I think that it is very probable." upon the white wrist. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "What! Had he lost his wife?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "A greater distance to travel." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and all of them with the keenest interest. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "So I heard. You have him here?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the address that was given us in the advertisement. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see digesting their breakfasts at home." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." deduce something from that?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as maid will bring up your coffee." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Countess of Morcar's?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for astonishment. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark remarked. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'And what salary do you ask?' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Holmes rather sternly. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the night.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Holmes' face clouded over. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether off." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Dr. Gregory B. Newby piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Where to?' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in