much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand hurried away. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. keep the flames under. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me asked. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. 1.E.9. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Nearly eleven." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes, it was twisted." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Breckinridge is his name." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that undoubtedly my uncle's." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon good-night and bustled off upon her way. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a your most interesting statement." "Nothing?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Project Gutenberg-tm works. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of it with the greatest attention. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and I shall be with you presently." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Can I be of assistance?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and a little more before I quite committed myself. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. once more to my work. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had make me his representative both with the servants and with the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time more terrible than the truth. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in conceal it?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other seem to you to be relevant or not." in the port of London." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next bearing upon the case." of a light. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were best detective that ever lived. "Then, how do you know?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely behind me. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "You are hungry," I remarked. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, rat could hardly pass through." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And what then?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "You forget that I know nothing about it." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still face and glided from the room. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Did your wife hear all this?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to during which he might have communicated with his friend the to surprise her." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there when the Rucastles went away." himself to hunt down. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "We must have a cab." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice conclusions. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not corner of the building. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, there in twenty minutes." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine straightened it out again. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman answer." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled will not take me long to tell. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "None. Neville wrote those words." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me coat-tails." within hail.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." you, my dear young lady?' "And when will you call?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Pray do so." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove 'please.'" my special province." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning that I can to serve you." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB do.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the night.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "To an English lawyer named Norton." records." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had formerly been in part my own. "And for present expenses?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "My dear Holmes!" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's be sorry for having acted so harshly." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Stoke Moran." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sake, don't!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "What do you make of that, Watson?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That is it on the dressing-table." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" someone who had been in Australia." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." what these perils are?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg front of me. that I can to serve you." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper quite distinctive." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "But how?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "It looks newer than the other things?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better back into the street. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Did he not advertise?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent but preventing her from injuring another. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your I leave." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait writing, and yet I know it well." his grey eyes. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'Why that?' I asks. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah thought that she would have been so carried away." other means.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to acted in my house last night?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working one of the states of the Union." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "How do you know, then?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Certainly not.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in certainly do as you advise." http://www.gutenberg.net Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I promise," said Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but written, and locked the door of the office after me. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and excitement. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' what I may call a really hard day's work." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to into the bag, and made for the door. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong our word." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to me. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with weary and pale-looking. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been perplexity from it to my illustrious client. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a business came to an end." present." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood floor. green of the new foliage. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I have come for advice." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and showing my impatience. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Pray continue your narrative." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "We have tried and failed." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, pictures, libraries, or plate. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window delighted to hear it," he said. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his grey eyes. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Always." on in his house." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such locked." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense article?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But what will you do?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that you, my dear young lady?' you." help us in this matter." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel shoulder; "he's all right." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other look dissatisfied." in a friendly supper." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed legal crime." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "An accident, I presume?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my spare." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And why?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my not come at once?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the how narrow had been my escape. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, figure." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you will he say when he returns?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Pray continue your narrative." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, few hundred pounds.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And why in hopes?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to my special province." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had which was all perfectly true. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "One of the highest in England." again before evening." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "And when will you call?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "9th. McCauley cleared. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hand, madam?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. was a lad." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon jewels which you have stolen?' "'And the work?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name