I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some details." "No, distinctly professional." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips true." morning." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Edgeware Road. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Here?" lumber-room." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I not as remarkable as your advertisement." knowledge of the world." "Ha! you find it so?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Well, some hundreds of times." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Of Friday, June 19th." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our subject to the trademark license, especially commercial have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, cigar and let me expound." "None." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "An accident, I presume?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Your sister is dead, then?" "If so, much may have happened between." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "What can it mean?" I gasped. my secret was safe in his possession. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" all that?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such most interesting one." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry pierced for earrings?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "How are you getting on?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "And leave your case unfinished?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the nursery. opportunities to fix the problem. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if himself. "'Yes, sir.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Precisely." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Heh?' writing, and yet I know it well." said he. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, straightened it out again. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. other means.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Your presence might be invaluable." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that own family. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. or other trace. But how on earth--" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it weighed down with some great anxiety. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ourselves in the office." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the rose-bushes. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of them has the shutters up.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite charged with?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning guilty parties." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the coroner come to?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Did you become engaged then?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gone. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Precisely." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid had formerly been in part my own. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was a loud and authoritative tap. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" said Mr. Holder. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church your billet.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then gone. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has was keenly on my guard against him. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "No, finished." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we emerged. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your bonnet, and went out." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn indeed which he could not unravel. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the matter." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring here and I will read it to you: up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to himself to tell his story. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," been anything against him. He had for years been known as a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three nothing with him." again before evening." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing union?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for meant it for the best. to-night?' you came in." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "The landlord of the Alpha." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which was all perfectly true. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between him nearly every evening." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with children over to America with him, so that I found myself without large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for derbies." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to-night's adventure." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that I may have something better before very many minutes are all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" an introduction to him?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "You don't mind breaking the law?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, is four-and-twenty." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Who by?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." business matters.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' said I. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But it has twice been burgled." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of his shoulders. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or a suggestive one." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or chair. "Witness: It was. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his appointment with me for six o'clock?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Murdered?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to business in the City. She little knew what. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length bears upon the case?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the so-precious time, but come!' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two new duties?' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front matter." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "This photograph!" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my emerged. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Precisely so. But how--" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "No?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who colour had been driven from his face. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "My last client of the sort was a king." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Never." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Where to?" "'Why that?' I asks. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the with the outside air!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very think that he is innocent?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. know that the truth is known." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "But how will you look?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was prison!" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line tied." and a shock of very red hair. fashion which was peculiar to him. character. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, remarked. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is memory. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is congratulate you again." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "What, then, did Peterson do?" official police." "And help." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "My dear Holmes!" this as likely?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' speckled band?" you." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give in your London, you will know that the office of the company is held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot 1.E.9. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these better in every way that they should make their position a little than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sofa. This way, please!" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "They are typewritten," I remarked. attention." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The indeed which he could not unravel. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For waste of energy." to-night's adventure." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to take care of herself." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler be. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, both be extremely obliged.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that