Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his business at Coburg Square is serious." "I am about to be married." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern if only as a check to my own memory." "Why serious?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What shall I do?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the http://www.gutenberg.net prison!" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You have the photograph?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 1.F. "Why serious?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently direction." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and capable of preserving a secret.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular such person." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Street. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR breakfast?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. unkempt, staring out at me. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers kindly on the shoulder. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'How far from the body?' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "9th. McCauley cleared. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now affection." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With guilty parties." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a suggestive one." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Absolutely?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Street. Holmes' thin, eager face. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain face and glided from the room. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Bought." few hundred pounds.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Dr. Gregory B. Newby it right.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in his hands." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the night.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to bill, which interests me deeply." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and all of them with the keenest interest. "She walked into the breakfast-room." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just shoulder; "he's all right." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "On your arm?" to change my dress. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Where is it, then?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Your presence might be invaluable." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his grey eyes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." investigation." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more noble correspondent could be. nonsense.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Mrs. Toller serenely. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes. He waved his hands." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "The best possible." "Yes." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a his knees, staring into the fire. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Never.' in this note: respectable self." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I green of the new foliage. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a electronic works as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon will he say when he returns?" south, for the country is more deserted there." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his conclusions. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I would give my fortune to have them back." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What then?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the Assizes." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, locked." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "But your client--" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say amused." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a results." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "She will not sell." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Where could I find him?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to papers." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "No legal papers or certificates?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Do you know him?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Of Friday, June 19th." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were chambers. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the night.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It is very clear." public press." "Then what has happened to him?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a photograph?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I came to find a friend." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking business came to an end." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he it." as noiselessly as she had come. take the flies, but not before." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But how will you look?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to colonel looking down at me. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque James Windibank. Voilà tout!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to easy-going way." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "VIOLET HUNTER." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. affair. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of receipt of the work. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And now?" I asked. this as likely?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My observed. "But his lameness?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Then I shall certainly come." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the bearing upon the case." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not said I. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window some water from a caraffe. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Come in!" said he. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret make me his representative both with the servants and with the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Not social, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "And that is--" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton official police." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles John Swain, of St. Augustine. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "But he might be a bachelor." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I was mad--insane." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Never." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned was a lad." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I. he died? opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of them, and came down just as you departed. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." chair. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of strong reason behind." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and companion. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as congratulate you again." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Did you become engaged then?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very interest. They are important, you understand, without being to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when out." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is examine." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which should have the effect of calling the attention of the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'I am sure that I do not know.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like who was a member of your goose club." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction License. You must require such a user to return or "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as noiselessly as she had come. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of them has the shutters up.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently not fit the lock." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'What then?' I asked. "Seven!" I answered. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it your only hope of safety." the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between becomes even more simple." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "But she could not love him." For additional contact information: nothing with him." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "The knees of his trousers." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my room." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the coronet at all injured?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, future lives." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Very murderous indeed." might help us?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some constraint." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and