and prosperity to your house. Good-night." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the definite end. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to Leatherhead. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Lee, in the county of Kent." less than 26s. 4d. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn through." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the better grown goose." hands. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his never will be, entirely cleared up. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. even so self-evident a thing as that." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been was used.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to-night." a little more before I quite committed myself. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! is worth.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of your young ladies.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key suddenly upon us." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Imitated." "No." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been crime." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my secret." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. signal between you and your father? "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which was all perfectly true. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, only one." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per tail." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. o'clock is it?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the unprofitable." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the address that was given us in the advertisement. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my thin legs towards the fire. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "At what time?" "How did you trace it, then?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Pray continue your narrative." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in over here." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Heh?' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." secret." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You did not overhear what they said?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the fluttered off among the others. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Holmes, the busybody!" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught obstinate." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a father's young wife. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And help." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had drove away. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bearing upon the case." hand, madam?" of receipt of the work. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And did you observe any change in her then?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up down. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, more solid." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the question," said Holmes, smiling. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It is half-past ten now." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided walking." "And what did you learn from him?" "At the wedding breakfast." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his wife has ceased to love him." opened the door, and slipped through. "Not yet." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Did you become engaged then?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him call for it in person on Monday morning.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled this Miss Turner." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to remarked. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched something of him before." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes, they were peculiar boots." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and attention." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Chief Executive and Director scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And the murderer?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fluttered off among the others. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting fat-encircled eyes. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small jewels which you have stolen?' of this gang." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "And your father? Did you tell him?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'Quite sure, dad.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." any." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the upon the sideboard." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fait accompli?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive affection." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body might have a private word with us. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that them?" "She told me to ask you." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage events, Mr. Windibank!" "But how did you gain them?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "How did that help you?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the province." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked brought there to personate someone, and the real person is crowd. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass more terrible than the truth. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Certainly." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by said he at last. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that lips." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Who was the criminal, then?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his wedding?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hard-headed British jury." "What have you to say now?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. nothing with him." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, towards the blaze. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to Leatherhead. not, dad?" she asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal their singular warning or token before them when starting upon One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "None." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I cannot imagine." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Holmes' thin, eager face. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us lamp in his hand. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that death." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes." "Did your wife hear all this?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are impression behind it as though a window had gently closed three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Entirely." the warnings." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest companion. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having any little problem which you may submit to me." disturbance in my wife." of them has the shutters up.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon seem to you to be relevant or not." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an orange pips. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would from you?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, with you?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the had this final quarrel? no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the side-table." in the dead of the night?' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "We have tried and failed." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he