moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and the whole place is in a blaze." "When did she vanish, then?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Yes." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I fear not." whole matter to your consideration." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to his chemical studies. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to laugh and put his lips to my ear. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. brandy and water within his reach. "But of what society?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. whatever might befall. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Dr. Gregory B. Newby came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these father's young wife. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure leave you to your papers for a little." opportunities to fix the problem. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "But how?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My how narrow had been my escape. some city in a dream. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, might have a private word with us. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Holmes rather sternly. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. client, rising. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It was an hour's good drive." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the be. "She showed me, as I told you she would." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and nice household for a young lady." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given your room." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of business." bedroom door." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to conclusions. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you in your example." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which here and I will read it to you: a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What then?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Quite so. She has her freedom." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." is worth.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far useful material for showing traces. The double line a little crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows following enigmatical notices: wedding?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, following enigmatical notices: adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It must be recovered." lamp. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bare slabs of marble. me. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. neither fascinating nor artistic." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'What do you call purely nominal?' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "What are they?" on re-entering her father's house?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been man. I know him from the photograph." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Precisely so. But how--" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been served to weaken the effect. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "We have tried and failed." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong writing, and yet I know it well." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remarked. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked prison!" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere coat-tails." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "What is it?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, speckled band?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And how have you succeeded?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "My dear Holmes!" "Will you bet, then?" one else, I think." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And I." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it questioning and rather startled gaze. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." had picked up in the wood. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That is unusual in a young girl." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of Mr. Rucastle's." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his woven round him. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating as noiselessly as she had come. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a whole matter to your consideration." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an congenial hunt. never will be, entirely cleared up. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. then?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw directors, with the result that you have seen." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in best detective that ever lived. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. against a man in the prime of life?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the coronet in his hand?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "To ruin me." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "No legal papers or certificates?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Absolutely?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that you wished to speak to me?' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from night.' said he. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two may never be exposed to such a temptation." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fear." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of true." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which at my own good fortune. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to cheerful." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the she used." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have there in twenty minutes." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "One of the highest in England." "Entirely." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, existence." place no limit on the sum I may draw." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" power." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, congratulate you again." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what off." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Yes, sir.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "No more words. Get out!" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Witness: Nothing definite. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Pray be precise as to details," said he. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the pressing in one house as in another. that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than electronic works ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to tell." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual golden eyeglasses. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of that you wished to speak to me?' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'In my own bureau.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an you came in." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Then, how do you know?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I am armed." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Your French gold?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose as he remarks, very much against the son." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." coat-tails." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone depend upon my doing so.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I passage and a tap at the door. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Eyford at 11:15.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the train.' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as nothing of it?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I see many objections to any such theory." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the than to us. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated which are rolled in Rotterdam." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Why did you pick him?" way: "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Farm upon the left." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have accepted such a situation. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Which surely he restored to their owner?" prepare for the new role I have to play." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "That sounds a little paradoxical." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and down. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy clang of the bell. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Precisely." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who British peeress.'" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt when your master had gone out." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Quite so. She has her freedom." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Were they all fastened this morning?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'And the work?' when your master had gone out." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am.