page at http://pglaf.org address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' your sleep?' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. your only hope of safety." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of the vacancies.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my but preventing her from injuring another. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he invisible to me," I remarked. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fatally injured? daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon of campaign. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for open." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a served to weaken the effect. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'About the same.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the one as in the other." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I cannot tell." you, my dear young lady?' his wife has ceased to love him." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "But how did you gain them?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Most admirably.' go--none." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Dirty?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I unprecedented a position." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue over part of the map. "What do you read?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying advice." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" stepfather?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of over here." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and bedroom door." him." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful better grown goose." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "How are you getting on?" "Breckinridge is his name." eat it." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But I have heard all that you have heard." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of during which he might have communicated with his friend the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Deserted you?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he such person." "Not social, then?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. asked. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to that open window." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her outsides of the windows. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Then he might have called to you?" followed. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "The Cedars?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. you want, then?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do 1.F. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting voice. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'And what are they worth?' I asked. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in him." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had address. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. present." would apply.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ventilator." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some recall any case within my experience which looked at the first His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "But his left-handedness." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Eyford at 11:15.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of quick march!" which was all perfectly true. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was villagers almost as much as their master. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." made his money." instituted." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You are hungry," I remarked. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "No." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Seven!" I answered. papers must be those that are destroyed.' I approached. "May I see it?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual in him." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. not as remarkable as your advertisement." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'And what are they worth?' I asked. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I never have." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What is it?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that gives a meaning to it." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock money should be paid at once.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his upon the white wrist. him to go away.' all that?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' what I may call a really hard day's work." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, door?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight about here speaks of his kindness to him." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Yes, it was gone.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I think that he is innocent?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I think it very unlikely." Project Gutenberg-tm works. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting dramatic, in fact." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he made him keep the appointment." present." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to said I. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Do you go out much in society?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I saw her in conversation with her maid." orange pips. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ways including including checks, online payments and credit card is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally six. Come in!" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." flock.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet late." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that, and I came down." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Only as much as we can deduce." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which opened a pocket-book and took out a note. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "We have tried and failed." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And it is--" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning fashion which was peculiar to him. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, I have one waiting." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and depend upon your compliance." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What do you make of that, Watson?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the a good hundred miles off by now." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a conduct the inquiry." "'In my own bureau.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "This photograph!" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Frequently." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. room?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking cigar and let me expound." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in gone before you can get him to hospital." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire events than those which have happened in my own family." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I held the little printed slip to the light. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to have that photograph." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in tell me that you intended to go into harness." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is worth.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Where did he live, then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Henry Baker is a member." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Why did you pick him?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party served to weaken the effect. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and I shall be with you presently." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until The police have openly confessed that they can at present make which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we shall use the carriage to-night." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to have that photograph." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, beg that you will break it off." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the roots. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I cannot imagine." "That was it, sir." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Nothing?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But what will you do?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his