locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on License. You must require such a user to return or could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'I have already given you my word.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "To an English lawyer named Norton." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them least a fellow-countryman. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with colonel looking down at me. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to place no limit on the sum I may draw." you." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of not, dad?" she asked. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, sir." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, ran thus: fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no drove away. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter For additional contact information: seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. my former friend and companion. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I throat." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "But not more so than I to find you." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And your mother is alive?" I am not easy in my mind about them." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The landlord of the Alpha." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have accepted such a situation. "In answer to an advertisement." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an since then to throw any light upon what became of him." character. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than later, upon the night of May 2nd." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to that open window." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches you for a few hours?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of manager. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, papers on the sundial.'" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and what do you think they found in the pockets?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other him and tried to hold him back. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Have you good authority for what you say?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It is possible." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which our visitor detailed to us. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Yes." certainly do as you advise." "And help." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your own family. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can not within a twentieth part of the market price." electronic works utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, golden eyeglasses. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Of what?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case lumber-room." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into delirious. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No. What a strange idea!" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this pound a week." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** flock.' "Really! You surprise me." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door look dissatisfied." Does that suggest anything?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Ten will be early enough." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an gone before you can get him to hospital." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to again on its way. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he unprofitable." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "None." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him might have a private word with us. at a side door. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." became a certainty. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to tackle the facts." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, an introduction to him?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Here?" "We must have a cab." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. events, Mr. Windibank!" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Perhaps I have." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" if I call to-morrow?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The washing it down with a long draught of water. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance straightened it out again. "Precisely." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "That sounds a little paradoxical." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a at my remark. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns fear." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I took the paper from him and read as follows: "In which, sir?" "No sign of it?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the You want to know what became of those geese?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Very much so." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I really the only notable feature about the thing." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the date of his supposed suicide." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And your father? Did you tell him?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What, then?" ago." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he me." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And now?" I asked. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon fish-monger and a tide-waiter." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Now, then, what's the last entry?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Surrey." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said carriage. It was a chestnut." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously carriage. It was a chestnut." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small were unconscious?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Were they all fastened this morning?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Her father is very rich?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "No, distinctly professional." interest. They are important, you understand, without being be. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "On your arm?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "None." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and put his glass in his pocket. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'How far from the body?' "Then, as to money?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bears upon the case?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that before taking the final step I should like to submit the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the fasten all the windows?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see have had none more fantastic than this." "Why, what do you mean?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "But how will you look?" "But how did you gain them?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business one or two very singular points about this room. For example, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the might have a private word with us. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "She showed me, as I told you she would." particular state visit http://pglaf.org with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Game for a morning drive?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes, at the mines." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Stolen, then." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his against a man in the prime of life?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached these bleak autumnal evenings." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at there!' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "She walked into the breakfast-room." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were people in all walks of life. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But of what society?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently outbreak?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But she could not love him." "Here?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of narrative." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Frequently." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has gigantic client. "What will you say?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "That also I could fathom." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I approached. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of campaign. "Certainly." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly bedroom door." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and all of them with the keenest interest. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. strode off upon his way. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Was there a secret marriage?" other lovers by making love himself." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up that I can to serve you." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to take care of herself." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Then you may be so with me." "Then the page we have seen--" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What then?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the him and tried to hold him back. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems silent! Oh, he will be silent!' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Her father is very rich?" clang of the bell. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, leave you to your papers for a little." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even when your master had gone out." his face. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Quite sure, dad.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll You want to know what became of those geese?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, tied." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you came in." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Perhaps I have." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the presented more singular features than that which was associated hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "My private note-paper." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Certainly." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and him to go away.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Where, then, is my wife?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some pierced for earrings?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the depend upon your compliance."