"Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from down from London to inquire more deeply into it." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes, sir." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "No. What a strange idea!" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Why, what do you mean?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to companion. shall use the carriage to-night." "At the wedding breakfast." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in the port of London." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "And from a noble client?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "One?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "From his hat?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' straighten it?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until open." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of chambers. "Her father is very rich?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fled together." "At the wedding breakfast." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. will he say when he returns?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the putting in the horse. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be a little more before I quite committed myself. the night.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, crackling voice. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the strode off upon his way. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "What have you to say now?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up IS "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's sparkled upon his finger. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And what did you see?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. intrusion of other matters." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence some terrible trap for her." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' will he say when he returns?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ago." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of joking. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it this poor creature." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out status with the IRS. "She will not sell." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw murdered man." again, where I was soon asleep. himself to hunt down. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to-night?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pierced for earrings?" some city in a dream. "An enemy?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband round with crates and massive boxes. be there in time for your coming." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a room. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. one of the states of the Union." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You forget that I know nothing about it." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my green of the new foliage. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their presented more singular features than that which was associated foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and looked back. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his bird of prey. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining details should find their way into the papers. Inspector equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, States. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a dead, shall be safe with us." served to weaken the effect. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a status with the IRS. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I will get her to show me." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the coronet in his hands?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Not in a good cause." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' man. I know him from the photograph." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Quite so. She has her freedom." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 some water from a caraffe. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with murdered man." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. I approached. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "ARAT," I read. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I beg pardon." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Holmes' thin, eager face. "Certainly, madam." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." already referred to. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon a handsome competence. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Which are?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, quick march!" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "No, but the enclosure is." most interesting one." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. purpose equally well?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Yes.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which astonishment. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with you alone." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is at once, for I have only half an hour." gbnewby@pglaf.org you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the handed it to him. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our you for a few hours?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'I have already given you my word.' the stable lane now." and glanced through. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and affair. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers shag which I had seen upon the previous night. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some signal between you and your father? it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Stolen, then." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which this remarkable episode. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott His smile broadened. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wedding?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands new duties?' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Not him." Where does the thing come from?' "'Certainly not. But why?' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "By train from Waterloo." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of this gang." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not out." the King without delay." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "But he might be a bachelor." breakfast?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'Very good.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Was your sister dressed?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sholtos." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Was she in good spirits?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I have solved it." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I again." "Yes?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and up this clue while it is still hot." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "You are hungry," I remarked. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "That you are never beaten." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pound a week." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "And the murderer?" "VIOLET HUNTER." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Will you go?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Where did he live, then?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It is very clear." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am all that?" "I think it very unlikely." out of this horrible affair." himself in a perplexing position. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, introspective fashion. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in this note: "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. are, and they are waiting for us." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "But you can know nothing of this?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey room?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late directors have had misgivings upon the subject." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Then let me do so?' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. obstinate." individual and becomes the badge of a society." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. any more." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I locked. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm than to us. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from done what I asked you, Jones?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, wall." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and depend upon my doing so.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should tension within him. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler power." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "None." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of