"Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good main points of my analysis." "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Where, then, is my wife?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a gbnewby@pglaf.org Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she fasten all the windows?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. before, for it was considerably after midnight. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that I can to serve you." memory. my room." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of writers could invent nothing more crude." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The knees of his trousers." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. advice." lamp in his hand. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, gentleman's clothes. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "By no means." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back appeal." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Ah!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a room. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen been lifted and conveyed somewhere." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Very. But will he see it?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for relief. a good hundred miles off by now." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes' thin, eager face. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It looks newer than the other things?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I nodded again. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cigars in the box." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It is possible." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fattened it expressly for you.' the running down." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds learned something! Where are the gems?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger What do you deduce from it?" "By all means." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the This is what he says: "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, me. You must get home instantly and act." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "None." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only ceremony." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, fresh and glossy." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "And sit in the dark?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the highly," said Holmes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Yes." upon the white wrist. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "So it appears." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock weighed down with some great anxiety. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to surprise her." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the chance at all." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom cup of tea. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all there." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 'please.'" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. deduce something from that?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. brandy and water within his reach. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction opened the door, and slipped through. seven miles from Eyford Station.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers on in his house." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was arrangements." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "What! Had he lost his wife?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls him!" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly there is a decided draught." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew any more." it were putty." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Lee, in the county of Kent." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish there were so many in the whole country as were brought together which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, II. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and undoubtedly my uncle's." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fait accompli?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to talk it over. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a beg that you will break it off." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we compunction about shooting them down." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will redistribution. the warnings." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I have come for advice." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt upon the sideboard." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, foot. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a arrested. You then--" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his everything which you would wish to know." States. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry even so self-evident a thing as that." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very not within a twentieth part of the market price." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we before the coroner and the police-court." weighed down with some great anxiety. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of the vacancies.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to talk it over. long narrative. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'I have already given you my word.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is tension within him. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously been with you?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass might have a private word with us. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with spark where all is dark to me." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of standing smiling on the door-step. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You have a clue?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" your only hope of safety." "Your sister is dead, then?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and over with notes and figures. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Entirely." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You take the flies, but not before." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Certainly, madam." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & than to us. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a address. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the You want to know what became of those geese?" I leave." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not During two years I have had three consultations and one small relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Yes, sir.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of entirely devoid of interest." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand distance from the station, and there we found the young lady noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without companion imperturbably. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Where is it, then?" following enigmatical notices: client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Of Friday, June 19th." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each whereabouts. the window, rose as we entered. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Was he the only applicant?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, developed." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by she used." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of affair. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When could not have written that. It is the German who is so murdered man." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking You want to know what became of those geese?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm you found me to-night--and running through the front room she McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down over part of the map. "What do you read?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing past. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately persecution?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Thank you. Pray proceed." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village,