ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story you found me to-night--and running through the front room she of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always useful material for showing traces. The double line a little had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one his knees, staring into the fire. "None." "I fear not." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second said he. hurried by. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The fishes. hands. is," said he presently: "About a month then." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "So it appears." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "None." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." http://gutenberg.net/license). that you saw all that I did." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of strong and stiff." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to me. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But how?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "No, distinctly professional." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, congratulate you again." "Yes, at the mines." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bare slabs of marble. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal allusion to a rat. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of them, and came down just as you departed. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lectures into a series of tales." "Thank you. Pray proceed." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems other, as fresh and trim as possible. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "No." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you strength in the others." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It's nothing of the kind." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I approached. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be thin legs towards the fire. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was populous neighbourhood." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." everything which you would wish to know." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of be sorry for having acted so harshly." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. unkempt, staring out at me. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that you saw all that I did." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so miles off. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were breakfast." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. at home. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every politicians who had been sent down from the North. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and looked back. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "ARAT," I read. to take care of herself." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat your billet.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking pound a week." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I was sure that I might rely on you." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Project Gutenberg-tm works. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me who was a member of your goose club." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence she to prove their authenticity?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable do.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "My dear Holmes!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Nothing." plantation.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your highroad, where all traces were lost. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to a more successful conclusion." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Where to?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And is that all?" late." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such individual and becomes the badge of a society." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Nothing?" "Not yet." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "That also I could fathom." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to answer." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in bears upon the case?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" cup of tea. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely too. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which trying to your nerves." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his politicians who had been sent down from the North. strength of mind to control. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall again on its way. even so self-evident a thing as that." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark will he say when he returns?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us This is what he says: Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was During two years I have had three consultations and one small copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in populous neighbourhood." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall only touch the interest." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her I nodded to show that I had heard. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Sutherland. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "What office?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." a good hundred miles off by now." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "By train from Waterloo." "At what time?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'There is a drive, then?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I nonsense.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was feeling which was the fattest.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Holmes' thin, eager face. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have accepted such a situation. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "You saw the ventilator, too?" sufficient punishment." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, heavily into it. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As lids now and glanced across at his visitor. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found affair. to a more successful conclusion." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the were unconscious?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Won't it ring?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself digesting their breakfasts at home." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Then I can wait in the next room." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Countess of Morcar's?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder think that he is innocent?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the chambers. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Witness: I must still refuse. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my empty. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have nothing of it?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which our visitor detailed to us. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I have a cab outside." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Do you go out much in society?" "If I can be of use." "'And the work?' "And why?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and really the only notable feature about the thing." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "The landlord of the Alpha." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to a light-house. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have an American origin." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fact, we may call it conclusive." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend this Miss Turner." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "But I am all in the dark." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Look there!" said he. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the there is a decided draught." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See weapon." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from the brougham. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the his face which made him a very different person to the round, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And it is--" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of them has the shutters up.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to talk it over. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the at my remark. what do you think they found in the pockets?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have any." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the salesman. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My From what you have told me I think that it is possible that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fat-encircled eyes. drawing your inferences." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and inquire as to the address." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand interests were the same as his." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And for present expenses?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And leave your case unfinished?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in humiliation." your own bird, so if you wish--" But Holmes shook his head gravely. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since was it brought him the coronet? glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No bad?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. you." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Count Von Kramm." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to quite distinctive." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'What do you call purely nominal?'