light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window a good hundred miles off by now." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "The best possible." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Who by?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and gone before you can get him to hospital." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the room while you explain this matter?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, posted to-day." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle said he. will be renamed. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Certainly." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Miss Holder?" it." ordinary clothes on?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in seem to you to be relevant or not." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "The gentleman I describe." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes posted to-day." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Yes." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." one else, I think." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I see many objections to any such theory." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my be best to do. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I do." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Do you go out much in society?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called very old mansion. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has himself. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I am following you closely," I answered. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Certainly." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls bill, which interests me deeply." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by bachelor.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Was she in good spirits?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, I had a dozen." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could I am not easy in my mind about them." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He noble correspondent could be. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would late." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That sounds a little paradoxical." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Always." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most here and I will read it to you: right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well peculiar to him. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I interests were the same as his." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the bed, and you in that chair." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by recall any case within my experience which looked at the first middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. business at Coburg Square is serious." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "That you are never beaten." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Which dealer's?' "That was it, sir." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." a good hundred miles off by now." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You are hungry," I remarked. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and that you saw all that I did." "I think it very unlikely." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" obstinate." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I am still in the dark." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. photograph?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the IS "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Whose house is it?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It is very clear." in one or two places in England?' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon certainly not very gracious." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little What do you deduce from it?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," take the flies, but not before." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Nearly eleven." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. what I may call a really hard day's work." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sit on the left-hand side of the driver." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you want, then?' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Pool. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "My private note-paper." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it again before evening." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Count Von Kramm." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand morning." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front meant it for the best. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an main points of my analysis." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You have but to name it." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began have one." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the not, dad?" she asked. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. orange pips. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to never to learn it at all." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I have my revolver," said I. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I held the little printed slip to the light. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an one of them." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." conceal it?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I do." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was case before our client came into the room." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport frequently gained my first real insight into the character of his knees, staring into the fire. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon the shelf for the interim." "'I have already given you my word.' "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he unprofitable." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the matter." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every read over the extraordinary announcement. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, than was visible to me." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that stammered. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of a light. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a directly by questioning you." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about out." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are 1.E.9. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun such person." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for strode off upon his way. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Ample." late." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is galvanised. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he guilty one." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle noise which awoke you from your sleep?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and people don't know." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, thank goodness, she did not." closely." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Oh, yes, easily." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Quite sure, dad.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy which should have the effect of calling the attention of the friend's singular character. himself in a perplexing position. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Why? What do you mean?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I was concerned in it." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot union?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the all?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe your co-operation." "Imitated." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "How on earth--" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Yes, I promise.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the very morning of the wedding." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 she used." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was so.' "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it knowledge of the world." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his miles off. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to