years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I think it very unlikely." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "You think that he is dead?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the south-west, I see." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "By all means." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had hair?' again." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which are rolled in Rotterdam." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made This is what he says: what these perils are?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." tear off another piece?' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very outside. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of meant it for the best. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Did he not advertise?" second window is the one that I jumped from." him!" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; better in every way that they should make their position a little The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting grasp, he hurried from the room. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to questionable one." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to point in the dark hollow of his hand. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Stolen." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP hair?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the stable lane now." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine invisible to me," I remarked. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in writing, and yet I know it well." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society geese which you supplied to the Alpha." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "When did she vanish, then?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend on re-entering her father's house?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window death." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." miles off. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Never." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its before, for it was considerably after midnight. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. stalked out of the room. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Miss Holder?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my friend's incisive reasoning. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, if only as a check to my own memory." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we skylight. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Yes, sir.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was with frightened eyes at his accuser. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion investigation." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to ceremony." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I am in hopes that she does." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Did he not advertise?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." I nodded again. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." bachelor.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being where she found matters as described by the last witness. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "The decline of his fortunes, then?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of him nearly every evening." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old retorted upon me, and I on you." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together be there in time for your coming." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. that threaten you." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I cannot tell." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who congenial hunt. "He might." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that you can jump it.' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. persecution?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lectures into a series of tales." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Get out!" said he. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "At the wedding breakfast." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear distinguish the words: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, became a certainty. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was once confined in the cab my mission was practically very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of delirious. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a happened." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing said he at last. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "The King of Scandinavia." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the so.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "By train from Waterloo." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. laugh and put his lips to my ear. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, had formerly been in part my own. Holmes' face clouded over. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Then I do not see the point." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will, Miss Turner." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a during which he might have communicated with his friend the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the shall use the carriage to-night." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked had no one to advise her at such a crisis." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, before the coroner and the police-court." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to affect your life." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Stoke Moran?" said he. me." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked instincts rose up against that laugh. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it right.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then I shall certainly come." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than corner of the building. crime. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss what is your own theory as to what took place?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future formed some opinion?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ago." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I have heard so.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "No legal papers or certificates?" conclusions. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and the colonel ushered me in. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Dr. Gregory B. Newby could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I don't say that. Perhaps." "My photograph." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Yes." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the tragedy. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked which it had come upon my father." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice despaired of." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "To an end?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to families. Now for the facts. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, everything which you would wish to know." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The rest you will leave in our hands." already referred to. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy writer." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they said he. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his fortune, and I went back to pa. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that, and I came down." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Not yet." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just disturbance in my wife." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. works. See paragraph 1.E below. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "To an English lawyer named Norton." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** third from London." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to-night's adventure." congenial hunt. as yours." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It was." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by http://gutenberg.net/license). family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle prepare for the new role I have to play." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought views." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "And Irene Adler?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Where to?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "VIOLET HUNTER." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's room?" "Perfectly so." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was already answered. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as strong and stiff." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away papers must be those that are destroyed.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was already answered. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE excitement. in the hope of finding them." for the market.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he during that time.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. eat it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That think that any burglar could have done. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her province." ourselves in the office." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been