"'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in there was no need for father to know." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was mad--insane." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the unkempt, staring out at me. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the coronet in his hands?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Farm upon the left." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such seven miles from Eyford Station.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "When did she vanish, then?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by results." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "On Monday." all?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right breakfast." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It amused." desk. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes, at the mines." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Very truly yours, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better believe that I should never have any practice at all. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but back to my heart. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that name is different." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate less than 26s. 4d. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "At what time?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." States. question. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Henry Baker is a member." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Nothing?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Your presence might be invaluable." ashen face. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Your presence might be invaluable." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE business at Coburg Square is serious." "He said that you could solve anything." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Oh, yes, easily." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "He said that you could solve anything." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' placed his cuttings. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the stable lane now." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and that he would see to anything that turned up. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Always." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Whose house is it?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two not use it unless it is absolutely needed." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough cost them two and thirty pounds." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And sit in the dark?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, was keenly on my guard against him. "On your arm?" "'Certainly not. But why?' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' arrangements." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his face. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I unprofitable." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already instincts rose up against that laugh. you." "Then, as to money?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and business at Coburg Square is serious." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." examine." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California he. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then I do not see the point." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport goes." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, know that the truth is known." "Pray do so." here and I will read it to you: "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, room had already been engaged for us. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. asked. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prepare for the new role I have to play." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and villagers almost as much as their master. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What shall I do?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is tied." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." not, dad?" she asked. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step closely." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "So it appears." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "It came here." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the friends, not even his own brother. Holmes." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a carpenter." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "That also I could fathom." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of touch that coronet?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sake, don't!" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "None." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings at my own good fortune. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they better grown goose." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough woman." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I will do it." when you have done it." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps have had none more fantastic than this." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. tightly behind him. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and companion. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless some city in a dream. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events back to my heart. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Then let me do so?' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little other lovers by making love himself." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a it were putty." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Thank you. Pray proceed." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business not fit the lock." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or outside." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "How did he come?" the little opening for the ventilator is." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I think it very unlikely." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to-night." shall use the carriage to-night." that he has suffered." "But how?" was a loud and authoritative tap. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is outbreak?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And sooner or later she must fall a victim. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Dirty?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do said he. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It's nothing of the kind." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest south, for the country is more deserted there." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." October 9, 1890. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet minor matters until to-morrow." "But the mystery?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest address. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Yes, sir.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have got?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire really the only notable feature about the thing." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the or in danger--" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "My dear Holmes!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have people don't know." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'What do you call purely nominal?' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself during which he might have communicated with his friend the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the foresight and the moral retrogression?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in my life." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you wedding?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him,