Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I was mad--insane." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Again Holmes raved in the air. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "He disappeared so suddenly." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. go back?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some conduct the inquiry." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. always that they were such commands as a lady might with old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the until night should bring an explanation. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Count Von Kramm." wall." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said becomes even more simple." interested in these little problems, and since you are good the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive words came to my lips. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "And why in hopes?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Not him." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any your room." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Was your sister dressed?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I cannot imagine." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Perfectly so." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing developed." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'About the same.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will views." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you results." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "In which, sir?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." ways of our fellow-men." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as right! Sit down and let us talk it over." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return prison!" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in key of the affair now." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But how?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And how did he make his money?" "Will you go?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Seven!" I answered. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to surprise her." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon carpenter." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They giving me time to thank him. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "My photograph." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I know where it is." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. guilty one." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without results." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which are rolled in Rotterdam." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "May I see it?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Ah!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and go back?" any." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the nursery. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Certainly not.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "About a month then." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My corner of the building. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose rat could hardly pass through." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hopeless attempt at recovering them." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and your own bird, so if you wish--" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight so far?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "At the wedding breakfast." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was of it with the greatest attention. ways of our fellow-men." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours entirely devoid of interest." feature." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary approach us with offers to donate. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "A call for help, you thought?" "But I am all in the dark." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We writing, and yet I know it well." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand papers must be those that are destroyed.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "My Mary? Impossible!" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Entirely.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in your own bird, so if you wish--" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for know all about it," he snarled. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I would give my fortune to have them back." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their look dissatisfied." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Do you go out much in society?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "No more words. Get out!" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass him!" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in problems help me to do so." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, it is a possible supposition." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so hair?' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the coronet at all injured?" better in every way that they should make their position a little old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Only as much as we can deduce." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far way in." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, fluttered off among the others. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Then I can wait in the next room." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." awaited us upon the table. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Was she in good spirits?" "I see no marks." gbnewby@pglaf.org took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It is half-past ten now." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "He is still with you, I presume?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. case before our client came into the room." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "By all means." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. than was visible to me." ran thus: the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a go--none." "Tired-looking or fresh?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up have I gained?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Your sister is dead, then?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" wanted for ourselves." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to surprise her." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad money should be paid at once.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The landlord of the Alpha." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Who by?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked did not hear it also.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** your most interesting statement." to-night?" I asked. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Has he come with you to-night?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have stepfather?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And I say east," said my patient. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. all that?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "What!" he roared. bonnet, and went out." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account likely to be some crony of the landlady's." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to a more successful conclusion." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds friend's singular character. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "But who is he?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. imbecility!" he cried. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, business came to an end." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill direction." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "By no means." other means.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the will take you up to see the machine.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Was the window open?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "9th. McCauley cleared. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of it with the greatest attention. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "He said too much." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours despair." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves late." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the