"I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for impression behind it as though a window had gently closed galvanised. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose here." foot. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank writers could invent nothing more crude." "At what time?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Leadenhall Street--and--" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the are, and they are waiting for us." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "By all means." "I am sure." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should McCarthy's innocence. feature." "'It is locked up,' I answered. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'How far from the body?' she might be summoned. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "My dear Holmes!" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the arrangements." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Nothing." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the pictures, libraries, or plate. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' about. closing the door. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my might have a private word with us. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the best of training." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Certainly." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Entirely." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sutherland?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the dangers which encompass me." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "This concluded the examination of the witness." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What is it, then--a fire?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak electronic works vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You have but to name it." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to your co-operation." Eyford." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And Miss Sutherland?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little politicians who had been sent down from the North. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate out." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Not particularly." chemical work which was so dear to him. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It must be recovered." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sentimental considerations in the background which would induce said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own nonsense.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal burst out into a roar of laughter. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to surprise her." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But spark where all is dark to me." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hardly wander." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called there when the Rucastles went away." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! companion. hardly wander." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I have seen the police." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? information in his hands the value of which he did not himself upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Where, then, is my wife?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And Miss Sutherland?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "What is it?" Holmes' thin, eager face. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Have you her photograph?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign like gravel from a pit.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Will you bet, then?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" goes." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I cannot say that I have." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But not more so than I to find you." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance guilty one." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." this as likely?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few question. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "How many? I don't know." guilty one." writers could invent nothing more crude." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, into the room. "My Mary? Impossible!" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Not him." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and must be when I saw the door open.' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" might help us?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than off." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "The landlord of the Alpha." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the bed, and you in that chair." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Then I do not see the point." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I cannot think." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" all?" one else, I think." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with good-night and bustled off upon her way. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Literary Archive Foundation which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being returned to France?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But I am all in the dark." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man DAMAGE. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Yes." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms there were so many in the whole country as were brought together receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all-comprehensive glances. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Stolen." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "To an English lawyer named Norton." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight his cane at the bell-pull. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she bed dies. Does not that strike you?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to-night?' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bed dies. Does not that strike you?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by highly," said Holmes. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before it right.' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and confronted him. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; not fit the lock." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he salesman. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "The gentleman I describe." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You have but to name it." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he are windows in it, of course?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Dirty?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My photograph." your own bird, so if you wish--" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And beg that you will break it off." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I see many objections to any such theory." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, one's self under obligations.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Yes, at the mines." nights." lectures into a series of tales." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might soul! here is her carriage at the door." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" passage and a tap at the door. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be question," said Holmes, smiling. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the as the one I chose?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "But she could not love him." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. disappearance of the bride.'" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Get out!" said he. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the window when the police appeared." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered his wife has ceased to love him." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which are rolled in Rotterdam." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of father's place of business?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of the efforts of the United States government and of the better down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the tear off another piece?' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a name is different." should be so warm over such a trifle." "What! You do not mean bodies?" felt?" "Will you bet, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Dark enough and sinister enough." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. whole matter to your consideration." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have an American origin." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No, I had a dozen." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with most important business. It is probable that he will be away all secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'And the work?' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after we went to search for him, face downward in a little did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wife's character?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My beg that you will break it off." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of Fenchurch Street." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Yes.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up take the flies, but not before." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "That's no good." "She told me to ask you." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who