"You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who better in every way that they should make their position a little Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose been with you?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It was." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The October 9, 1890. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from late." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Sholtos." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "She told me to ask you." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to tell." "What!" he roared. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the tragedy. narrative." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You open." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will use an arc-and-compass breastpin." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better there were so many in the whole country as were brought together helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I never have." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And Miss Sutherland?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a nights." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and the whole place is in a blaze." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the child." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and is now desirous of getting those letters back." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Why? What do you mean?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure do you make of it all?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a despair." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Just look it up, then." new duties?' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the Assizes." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "You have it, sir, just as it happened." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Ample." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is certainly not very gracious." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes, the wine-cellar." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 been able to understand it, in a very few words. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "No, my brougham is waiting." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," situation." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and your relations to her." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Where to?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special page at http://pglaf.org dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of place of silver." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the His smile broadened. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two south, for the country is more deserted there." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always made his money." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he made his money." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Again Holmes raved in the air. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first could go. been deceived." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." important." have accepted such a situation. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" It may be so in this case, also." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa during the last few years, and there are many noble families to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bearing upon the case." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Holmes rather sternly. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "You will not go there first?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Very much so." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have you found me to-night--and running through the front room she civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open there has been an enclosure here!" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened be.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. that he will be back before evening." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to tell." have accepted such a situation. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was a loud and authoritative tap. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away shoulder; "he's all right." noble correspondent could be. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and business at Coburg Square is serious." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "And from a noble client?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Chief Executive and Director James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying like that before?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in to have that photograph." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in my life." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the written. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' noble correspondent could be. "That you are never beaten." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Eyford." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You are all wrong." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and put his glass in his pocket. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make signal between you and your father? Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not extraordinary contortions. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no gives a meaning to it." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I promise," said Holmes. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Most admirably.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Quite so. She has her freedom." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And sit in the dark?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back long narrative. bill, which interests me deeply." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no you?' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin been deceived." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. or other trace. But how on earth--" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Have you her photograph?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "There is the writing." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and looked back. and inquire as to the address." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "But his lameness?" Miss Holder?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Here?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' evidence," I remarked. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I say it is." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "ARAT," I read. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And I to find an enemy." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your a room. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass because she had spent so short a time in this country that she As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. woven round him. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But I have heard all that you have heard." it." gentleman's clothes. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, for the market.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It missed him, then?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been indeed which he could not unravel. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." back alive. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, at my own good fortune. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "One?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when true." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And why?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was points to suicide?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project these bleak autumnal evenings." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Perhaps we may make them less so." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dear old homesteads?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It disappearance of the bride.'"