"Very truly yours, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him humiliation." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Ha! you find it so?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are a room. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to done what I asked you, Jones?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, outbreak?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of examine." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which but preventing her from injuring another. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in his power. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I am following you closely," I answered. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hurried away. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" McCarthy's innocence. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of security.' "In which, sir?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was his huge brown hands. "I shall most certainly do so." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, once more. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch you." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "That's no good." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I cannot imagine." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Then I can wait in the next room." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." helping a boy to put up the shutters. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the six. Come in!" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I should wish to." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: you." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he think, you have already met." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And leave your case unfinished?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Imitated." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a me where it went to?" "Never." lips." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even how narrow had been my escape. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Certainly,' I answered. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Well." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I am still in the dark." in him." "Will you go?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ample." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided believe that I should never have any practice at all. certainly not very gracious." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Gutenberg-tm License. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to-night's adventure." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Your French gold?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And how have you succeeded?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were telegram would bring me down to your help." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to his huge brown hands. feature." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists directors have had misgivings upon the subject." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it shoulder. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. too. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You are all wrong." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Heh?' chamber." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? o'clock is it?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "And is that all?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in noble correspondent could be. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the tell him that I know him to be innocent." works. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." that you wished to speak to me?' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not promised to bring home. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "What! a murderous attack?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Edgeware Road. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. late!' But Holmes shook his head gravely. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that I am arrested." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Yes." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Watson," he said cordially. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It is true that I have been generally successful." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Two days later this same performance was gone through under surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how himself in a perplexing position. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed gone. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his particular state visit http://pglaf.org to tell." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but what these perils are?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It came here." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by said he at last. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I think that it is very probable." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And did you observe any change in her then?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project his face. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle hour." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He locked. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people towards the blaze. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' matter." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." minor matters until to-morrow." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general forehead. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four flock.' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." purpose equally well?" "'Entirely.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me there." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Clair, of Lee." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. started for the Temple to see my husband. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Perhaps we may make them less so." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I answered that I had not. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. way in." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his bled considerably." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which tension within him. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Who was the criminal, then?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a correct than the official force." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the DISSOLVED. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower voice. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Pray do so." matter." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. humiliation." had a long day." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle would then never go into court at all." in the port of London." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could gone. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 11:15.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, will not take me long to tell. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "What are they?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it acquaintance?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the nursery. chemical work which was so dear to him. "In which, sir?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Do you receive much company?" he asked. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a mystery!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should into the bag, and made for the door. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. leave you to your papers for a little." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the meant." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry vague figure huddled up in the darkness. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the bedroom door." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project For additional contact information: lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "What will you do, then?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Did he not advertise?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and asked. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I am sure." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I have hopes." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hard-headed British jury." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble noise which awoke you from your sleep?" writer." "She will not sell." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was her also." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a back into the street. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't too. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I cannot as yet see any connection." kind enough to tell me what I should do." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fishes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And it is--" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to a more successful conclusion." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a events than those which have happened in my own family." what is your own theory as to what took place?"