unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales asked. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted away in different directions, and I went off to make my own have established a very serious case against the son of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Heh?' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf if I call to-morrow?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself paper in the air. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "No bad?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another three of the beryls in it, was missing. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through train.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I fuss that is made over them." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Very truly yours, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of enough to aid us in our search." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The summons was a brief and urgent one. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On society." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I have come for advice." and laid it on the table. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I province." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "That was it, sir." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the chance." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when them, and came down just as you departed. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes stepfather?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, rat could hardly pass through." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are as this. Pray let me have the details." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in are, and they are waiting for us." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and capable of preserving a secret.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Yes." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. works. See paragraph 1.E below. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Which are?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch sofa. This way, please!" some terrible trap for her." affection." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the you for a few hours?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shall use the carriage to-night." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "None. Neville wrote those words." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, matter." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. tension within him. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! formed some opinion?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at my own good fortune. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But of what society?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the tell them apart.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, 11:15.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the room while you explain this matter?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip like gravel from a pit.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have spark where all is dark to me." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is reach." developed." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good society." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate my little problems." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I cannot imagine." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I nodded to show that I had heard. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "At the wedding breakfast." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I am to be neutral?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such himself to hunt down. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sofa. This way, please!" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook tightly behind him. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Did you observe the colour?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon followed. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice straighten it?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously heavy and sharp instrument." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for its centre. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he felt the room to be a little close.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in darkness. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yes, he did." fat-encircled eyes. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Have you good authority for what you say?" trifles." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Was the window open?" colour had been driven from his face. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this morning." will be renamed. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. detective. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bachelor.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, into the room. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But you can know nothing of this?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Of Friday, June 19th." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "No, distinctly professional." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But have I gained?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Certainly." "And your mother is alive?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in brandy and water within his reach. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night absorbing." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must letters?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my murdered man." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her burst out into a roar of laughter. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness gives a meaning to it." "And is that all?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "My last client of the sort was a king." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he on in his house." "And I say east," said my patient. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He astonishment. "No, my brougham is waiting." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "No, I think that I'll take it." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing may never be exposed to such a temptation." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late know all about it," he snarled. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Henry Baker is a member." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of case-book, which he consulted. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It lamp. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to 1.F. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it him!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Doctor, of the paper and the date." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And it is--" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "My Mary? Impossible!" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical together. suddenly upon us." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have page at http://pglaf.org THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his future lives." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the never to learn it at all." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every lamp in his hand. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to Leatherhead. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover we went to search for him, face downward in a little houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the King without delay." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sholtos." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it heavy and sharp instrument." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "From his hat?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of joking. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how this remarkable episode. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Was he the only applicant?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The summons was a brief and urgent one. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered envelope. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Indeed! Whose, then?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire stepfather?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "She will not sell." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case My friend smiled. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. feature." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" quite distinctive." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Yes, sir.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the here and I will read it to you: were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'What then?' I asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Certainly." nonsense.' "I have solved it." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind there is a decided draught." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman way: