are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to-night?" I asked. round with crates and massive boxes. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "No sign of it?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But to whom?" "Not yet." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if The police have openly confessed that they can at present make ago." disappearance of the bride.'" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round business." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or make me his representative both with the servants and with the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have accepted such a situation. affection." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "10th. John Swain cleared. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I think that it is very probable." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then neither fascinating nor artistic." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes to-night?' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" again, where I was soon asleep. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I have solved it." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" other lovers by making love himself." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "And the murderer?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "In answer to an advertisement." "Very truly yours, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wall." I am not easy in my mind about them." indeed happy." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Where is it, then?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "But I have heard all that you have heard." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Leadenhall Street--and--" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's drove away. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." union?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that from the brougham. "Nothing?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "The best possible." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally matters immensely." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which village inn over there?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to-night." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Come in!" said he. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel south, for the country is more deserted there." "I cannot imagine." a good hundred miles off by now." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to your equipment. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, business in the City. She little knew what. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really will find little credit to be gained out of this case." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions certainly do as you advise." know all about it," he snarled. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it directly by questioning you." directors, with the result that you have seen." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how stood on the top of it. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Pool. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I took the paper from him and read as follows: his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three events, Mr. Windibank!" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. in a friendly supper." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'I have heard so.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, village inn over there?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which father's young wife. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "My Mary? Impossible!" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And I." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which make me his representative both with the servants and with the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've outside. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the better grown goose." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." instituted." "He might." better in every way that they should make their position a little Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the quickly through a disagreeable task. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "A call for help, you thought?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when use an arc-and-compass breastpin." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of the way of danger. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Countess of Morcar's?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. them?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I say that I have solved it." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Your French gold?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: His name is Francis Prosper." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The knees of his trousers." correct than the official force." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this himself in a perplexing position. digesting their breakfasts at home." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And help." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a purpose equally well?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. room. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I am armed." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project yourselves in at night?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Of what?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. coroner's jury." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." have I gained?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before woman." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bears upon the case?" of campaign. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and asked with his eyes open. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and that he would see to anything that turned up. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing as he folded up the epistle. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The you give your casting vote to?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from brought there to personate someone, and the real person is with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution heavily into it. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "He said too much." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any DAMAGE. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." outbreak?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "My photograph." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and prosperity to your house. Good-night." through." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under now. It seems that there had been some informality about their dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, outside. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see galvanised. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so better grown goose." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fled together." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable obstinate." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here during that time.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a in my life." "How can you tell that?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. papers on the sundial.'" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a certainly not very gracious." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small enter into my head. "No." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it? Did I buy the geese off you?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Dr. Becher's." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend burst into a hearty fit of laughter. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "In answer to an advertisement." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in darkness. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" closely." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance so.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "But how?" "What will you say?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I families. Now for the facts. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly there is a decided draught." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "So I am. Very much so." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of it were putty." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated introspective fashion. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass had formerly been in part my own. "My dear Holmes!" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "On your arm?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It looks newer than the other things?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at may never be exposed to such a temptation." she used." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a held up the lantern and gazed about him. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "What, then, did Peterson do?" Miss Holder?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have yards of it?' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. keep the flames under. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but it were putty." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem