off." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "The King of Scandinavia." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And you thought he was pulled back?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Game for a morning drive?" "He said too much." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be one else, I think." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon you in your example." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the stable lane now." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly as yours." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Not at all. I only doubt--' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." place no limit on the sum I may draw." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord prove to be little relation between the different incidents of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have new duties?' Eyford." "That you are never beaten." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come meanly of me." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are lumber-room." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'Ten to two.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "None." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It surprised me." "The vanishing of the lady." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss sufficient punishment." "Nothing." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Clair, of Lee." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Cross for the Continent." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our business." "What I expected to see." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally bed dies. Does not that strike you?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of way: that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the three fields round his house, and there he would take his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I do." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. gone before you can get him to hospital." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" see a sister of mine apply for." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are that threaten you." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been lumber-room." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Witness: Nothing definite. lamp. "'Where to?' really the only notable feature about the thing." "You did not overhear what they said?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I shall continue with my miserable story. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it own family. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He might." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I shall be delighted." woman." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes, all." in his hands." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the best of training." criminal. We have already had experience of such." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to tackle the facts." hurried by. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his DISSOLVED. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed character. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning awaited us upon the table. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of out of this horrible affair." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I say that I have solved it." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a your sleep?' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which of receipt of the work. south, for the country is more deserted there." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a matter." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hand, madam?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "His face fell immediately. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "How did you deduce the select?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But to whom?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the business in the City. She little knew what. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then address. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rooms." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a your bag." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily it. "The gentleman I describe." over part of the map. "What do you read?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day distance from the station, and there we found the young lady speckled band?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "May I see it?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I will not look." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. them, and came down just as you departed. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old must compliment you." "Could he throw no light?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Then he might have called to you?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on felt?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Not yet." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Did he not advertise?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a society." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the reach." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Yes, sir.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Quite so. She has her freedom." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And what then?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either yards of it?' national property. I was determined that the law should have its thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is presented more singular features than that which was associated hair?' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. annoyance, but no jest. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I light and attacked it." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office families. Now for the facts. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of strength in the others." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off yet." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'I have heard so.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. helping a boy to put up the shutters. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'About the same.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "It is half-past ten now." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hurried by. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and it need not interfere very much with one's other eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, may have an influence upon European history." "Who by?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "That is not always so easy." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I will try. What is it?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But how did you gain them?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bill, which interests me deeply." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy 1.E.9. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own never will be, entirely cleared up. "Nothing." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Ample.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm train.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an dear old homesteads?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pound a week." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he bowed and left the room without another word. "Certainly." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Mrs. Toller serenely. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and figure." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our photograph?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You have but to name it." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. married her." was a loud and authoritative tap. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had sooner or later she must fall a victim. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of business at Coburg Square is serious." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been note?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of she used." sake, don't!" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of the efforts of the United States government and of the better His smile broadened. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Well, but China?" other lovers by making love himself." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high questioning and rather startled gaze. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if presented which may be striking and bizarre without being step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the whereabouts. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded flock.' approach us with offers to donate. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to