"Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and the church but not where the lady lived." call the police, let the police find what they can.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which back into the street. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some have accepted such a situation. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. call the police, let the police find what they can.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it province." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I yet." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net III. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and put his glass in his pocket. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy voice. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of his shoulders. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "By no means." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom begun to whiten, even as mine has." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most closely." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You have carte blanche." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "They are typewritten," I remarked. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I approached. over here." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Henry Baker is a member." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "My stepfather's business papers." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a bird of prey. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of What do you deduce from it?" "About a month then." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction persecution?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But you were on a friendly footing?" get her out of the way." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "No?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." bedroom door." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I shall continue with my miserable story. "And help." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said easy-going way." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shag which I had seen upon the previous night. hurried away. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these tear off another piece?' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, only one." never will be, entirely cleared up. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Will you go?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "He is dead," cried several voices. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I came to find a friend." and your relations to her." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Ten to two.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" important." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in the port of London." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my investigation." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project assist you in forming an opinion." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It's nothing of the kind." there in twenty minutes." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. will be renamed. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Entirely.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Ample.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The vanishing of the lady." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Yes." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most union?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke acted in my house last night?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg that he has suffered." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Did you observe the colour?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been used to be." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting man. I know him from the photograph." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, correct than the official force." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you narrative." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you to-night's adventure." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had absolutely follow my advice in every respect." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I call for it in person on Monday morning.' Again Holmes raved in the air. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his tell him that I know him to be innocent." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and quick march!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I have a cab outside." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public secret." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we occupations.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" together. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sneer upon his pale face. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which him!" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "A confidential servant?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may could go. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to-night." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a formed some opinion?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Ah!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the south-west, I see." the one as in the other." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to tell." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see there in twenty minutes." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot putting in the horse. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of relief. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Surrey." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no digesting their breakfasts at home." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there for its centre. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his your billet.' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Never." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at tear off another piece?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which grasp, he hurried from the room. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Where did he live, then?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, strong reason behind." empty. matter." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I think that it is very probable." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "On the contrary, this is the right side." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off went to the Alpha were town bred." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I outside. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. death." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few one else, I think." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the upon the sideboard." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." towards the blaze. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of enough to aid us in our search." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the from you?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the inner apartment." developed." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Have you her photograph?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'Certainly not.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of fat-encircled eyes. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' she might be summoned. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at occupations.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Clair, of Lee." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Street. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Not yet." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what meant it for the best. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do strange features which were associated with the two crimes which him. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a everything which you would wish to know." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I was concerned in it." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Have you good authority for what you say?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "And how did you find out?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Then I am your man." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fluttered off among the others. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the hour?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during not, dad?" she asked. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I tell them apart.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce You can understand that this register and diary may implicate crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which it means?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every crackling voice. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless