"Your Majesty has something which I should value even more take the flies, but not before." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Oh, fresh and glossy." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One little trying to do so much typewriting?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a monotonous occupation." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'You cannot say what it was?' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of a light. 1.F. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And it is--" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and looked back. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was might help us?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'There is a drive, then?' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke been deceived." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes call for protection in the marriage market, for the present see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "She showed me, as I told you she would." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a is now desirous of getting those letters back." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not photograph?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the these bleak autumnal evenings." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "When did she vanish, then?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you said I. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "That is it on the dressing-table." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' pierced for earrings?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that down. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being client, rising. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and she used." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to electronic works "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Chief Executive and Director I nodded again. I nodded to show that I had heard. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, will be renamed. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly conduct the inquiry." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows outsides of the windows. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, lumber-room." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hard-headed British jury." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "A client, then?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Henry Baker is a member." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. least a fellow-countryman. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "10th. John Swain cleared. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; carpenter." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning open." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we man. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET it." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just very old mansion. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. roused himself from his reverie. suddenly upon us." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "No, I am descending." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "But what harm can there be in that?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With even so self-evident a thing as that." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "How are you getting on?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the better in every way that they should make their position a little some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Have you her photograph?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "But of what society?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and a shock of very red hair. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me shaken than I had ever seen him. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of reach." possible that we could bring him back to her? charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off companion quietly. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And your mother is alive?" questionable one." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. waste of energy." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the knowledge of the world." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. case before our client came into the room." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Not him." that I can to serve you." said I. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." girl said." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to his chemical studies. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his manager. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Is purely nominal.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the salesman. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "What do you mean?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence them?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' done what I asked you, Jones?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. see a sister of mine apply for." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the chance at all." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, visitors." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I nodded again. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, be there in time for your coming." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's relation between them, and what the object of his repeated exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you bird of prey. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in the hope of finding them." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a humiliation." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that?' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "No, thank goodness, she did not." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the him and tried to hold him back. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose is so. I know all about McCarthy." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply one of the states of the Union." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And I." presented more singular features than that which was associated As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I leave." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom sound at heart." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge it were putty." "Will you bet, then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. charged with?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You will not go there first?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "But to whom?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and weapon." "Tired-looking or fresh?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the client, rising. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Street. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said morning." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Project Gutenberg-tm works. yet." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "We must sit without light. He would see it through the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you in yours." "Only as much as we can deduce." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "And what did you see?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to some other building. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "He slept on the premises." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the union?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Nothing?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, indeed which he could not unravel. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back future lives." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I was mad--insane." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Who by?" "Where, indeed?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both definite end. noble correspondent could be. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Yes, sir.' and your relations to her." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my yourselves in at night?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A again before evening." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And your mother is alive?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair.