snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and bachelor.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of easy-going way." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord hereditary King of Bohemia." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if shoulder. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our call the police, let the police find what they can.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. as he remarks, very much against the son." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be people don't know." "No. What a strange idea!" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this your billet.' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." down. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Precisely so. But how--" was used.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic brandy and water within his reach. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Well, some hundreds of times." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I nodded to show that I had heard. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Then I do not see the point." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Not social, then?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were away to you." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes' face clouded over. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master down. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good him!" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Very truly yours, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Well, but China?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Where did he live, then?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's presented which may be striking and bizarre without being be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a tightly behind him. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite spark where all is dark to me." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently tell him that I know him to be innocent." thirty. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste official police." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and his eyes and forehead. four million human beings all jostling each other within the was keenly on my guard against him. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And from a noble client?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is only touch the interest." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Of what?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "So I heard. You have him here?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "And how did he make his money?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from his wife has ceased to love him." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would character. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great strange features which were associated with the two crimes which go--none." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." ago." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly this poor creature." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind frequently gained my first real insight into the character of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any row." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his mysterious end." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is very kind of you." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile empty. tell them apart.' not come at once?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It certainly sounds feasible." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." straighten it?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense things are very often connected not with the larger but with the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. shoulder; "he's all right." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hurried by. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But you can know nothing of this?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you do it in twenty minutes!' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. it with his own hands." joking. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Street. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we she slowly sank and died without having recovered her light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': forecastle of an emigrant ship. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was there was no need for father to know." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to legal crime." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as License. You must require such a user to return or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg writer." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "So I have heard." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Not yet." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Dr. Gregory B. Newby little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a returned to France?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots chamber." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "How many? I don't know." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than me where it went to?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should at my remark. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Lee, in the county of Kent." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and looked back. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. strong and stiff." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" chance." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Where could I find him?' ventilator." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I posted to-day." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" brandy and water within his reach. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the dear old homesteads?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "And what then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You know me, then?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, quick march!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It looks newer than the other things?" was a lad." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from very morning of my second wedding." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do neither fascinating nor artistic." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "The knees of his trousers." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "No." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "What office?" thirty. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell begun to whiten, even as mine has." asked. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "In the cells." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set fat-encircled eyes. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wedding?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I cannot as yet see any connection." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "He said that you could solve anything." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I never have." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of closely." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir new acquaintance to Baker Street. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your towards the blaze. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." humiliation." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." call you and give you the chance." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my beyond words. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," points to suicide?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less him nearly every evening." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Proceed, then." colonel looking down at me. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set be. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Here?" dates and names. dear old homesteads?" His name is Francis Prosper." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'I am sure if I had known--' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most bell. Holmes whistled. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then here and I will read it to you: 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I held the little printed slip to the light. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I this poor creature." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "They are typewritten," I remarked. a room. little trying to do so much typewriting?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And how have you succeeded?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right your own bird, so if you wish--" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our is now desirous of getting those letters back." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his My friend smiled. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away fishes. "No, distinctly professional." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to there is a decided draught." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "The King of Scandinavia." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Stoke Moran?" said he. of campaign. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between never came back." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I held the little printed slip to the light. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Yes, at the mines." "It is no ordinary one." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. with some details as to your case." "Yes, only one." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "The rest you will leave in our hands." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we infinite languor in his face. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which