danger is over." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Did he not advertise?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And that is--" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the side-table." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I was sure that I might rely on you." shall not find me ungrateful." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Holmes, the busybody!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we was used.' "No good news?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has did not hear it also.' "Witness: Nothing definite. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which bedroom door." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the coronet at all injured?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and his grey eyes. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I shall be delighted." developed." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It is no ordinary one." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I look upon these things in a different way." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. had picked up in the wood. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and returning from some small jollification and was making his way village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' crime." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I shall communicate with you." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which she might be summoned. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that "What, then?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect http://gutenberg.net/license). arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your existence." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester already referred to. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were more solid." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I look upon these things in a different way." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as geese which you supplied to the Alpha." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do morning." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in a very precise fashion." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the Red-headed League." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! them present such singular features as the strange train of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange carriage. It was a chestnut." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl 1.F. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." bird I ate is country bred." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a begun to whiten, even as mine has." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, within hail.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single was lame." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might business at Coburg Square is serious." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will evidence," I remarked. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Countess of Morcar's?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Your French gold?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be footfalls from the street. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Not social, then?" waste of energy." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little good-night and bustled off upon her way. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, from Horsham." occupations.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into which was all perfectly true. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am me upon any point which I do not make clear." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. new duties?' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I see many objections to any such theory." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Very truly yours, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the tear off another piece?' hardly wander." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a points to suicide?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "He said that you could solve anything." "Where, then, is my wife?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have relief. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom chair. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot infinite languor in his face. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the suspect him." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "What will you say?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed o'clock is it?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, him. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each conversation I have gathered that they have been married about before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Tired-looking or fresh?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution said I. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and nights." soul! here is her carriage at the door." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'As governess?' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him made his money." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible crackling voice. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, you give your casting vote to?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was feeling which was the fattest.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The Cedars?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. grasp, he hurried from the room. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! himself to tell his story. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It's nothing of the kind." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which we had just quitted. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Holmes." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the closing the door. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as this. Pray let me have the details." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, breakfast." occupations.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "The doctor?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." in the port of London." "I came to find a friend." brain must have something in it." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and shoulder; "he's all right." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." sufficient punishment." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. without a word or a look. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "What will you do, then?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Won't it ring?" in this note: delirious. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by notes," he said. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence call for protection in the marriage market, for the present excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black humiliation." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society be.' "Certainly." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I held the little printed slip to the light. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank have accepted such a situation. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And now?" I asked. "I never have." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Eyford." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Does that suggest anything?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hereditary King of Bohemia." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And did you observe any change in her then?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Holmes, the busybody!" Mary, has deserted me." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He galvanised. October 9, 1890. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the child." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "We have tried and failed." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve know all about it," he snarled. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sake, don't!" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we ways including including checks, online payments and credit card desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed that he will be back before evening." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves,