from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read think, you have already met." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa a very grave face. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "One of the highest in England." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with constraint." than to us. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." least a fellow-countryman. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of the way of danger. morning." "Not particularly." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But it has twice been burgled." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if cup of tea. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you better in every way that they should make their position a little homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to Leatherhead. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of his shoulders. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to light and attacked it." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went writing, and yet I know it well." allusion to a rat. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others evidence," I remarked. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the coronet in his hands?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with throat." "Do you know him?" "In heaven's name, what for?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in the port of London." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Her father is very rich?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was standing smiling on the door-step. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "That is it on the dressing-table." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "The best possible." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was already answered. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I leave." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It is true that I have been generally successful." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the seem to you to be relevant or not." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came minor matters until to-morrow." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up pound a week." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that round with crates and massive boxes. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his dead, shall be safe with us." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and voice, changing her seat as requested. he died? the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I would pay ten." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your society." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "No, thank goodness, she did not." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Very. But will he see it?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "My own seal." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to green of the new foliage. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a so.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me like gravel from a pit.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Certainly, madam." to Leatherhead. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as closing the door. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his good for you to do.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have accepted such a situation. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his voice. would then never go into court at all." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, my little problems." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "The King of Scandinavia." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of get the tickets." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Thank you. Pray proceed." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "In what way?" asked Holmes. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so note?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, but only for you and me." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the than was visible to me." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the his grey eyes. "It is possible." purpose of examination. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I was concerned in it." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying if only as a check to my own memory." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Whose house is it?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to Leatherhead. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for entirely lost his self-respect." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "That you are never beaten." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to affect your life." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy breakfast." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Married! When?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if yards of it?' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down in his armchair and closing his eyes. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other recall any case within my experience which looked at the first steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Entirely.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the address that was given us in the advertisement. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest maiden herself was most instructive." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Foundation kindly on the shoulder. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all http://www.gutenberg.net "The gentleman I describe." trifles." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my woven round him. have an American origin." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about absolutely follow my advice in every respect." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his 11:15.' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a that you can jump it.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age crowd. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me depend upon my doing so.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing me where it went to?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is should be so warm over such a trifle." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I assure you that I am in your hands." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and your relations to her." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "But you have hopes?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the nursery. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. drawing your inferences." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fear." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most fire. You quite follow me?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will opened the door, and slipped through. he. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her bears upon the case?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a death." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you drove away. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And how did you verify them?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, all." "I have my revolver," said I. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Did you become engaged then?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office him nearly every evening." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, happened." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. key of the affair now." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said paper in the air. "What then?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, is four-and-twenty." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year purpose equally well?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the coronet in his hands?" one's self under obligations.' "I am still in the dark." "I will try. What is it?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Your sister is dead, then?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Stoke Moran." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Proceed, then." "You will not go there first?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Yes, sir.' "And why in hopes?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered even of instruction." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. room. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. 11:15.'