up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and nice household for a young lady." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds seven miles from Eyford Station.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Witness: Nothing definite. criminal. We have already had experience of such." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. from the brougham. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," could gather together that I was able to avert another public "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to II. possible that we could bring him back to her? "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I ordinary clothes on?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his any." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his yards of it?' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without better grown goose." "You horrify me!" to tell." "I was mad--insane." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I answer." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and looked back. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Where is it, then?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there upon the shelf for the interim." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I held the little printed slip to the light. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "But he might be a bachelor." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Pray let us have it, for all that." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which photograph?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Ten will be early enough." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable you want, then?' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact head. So long, then!" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' will not take me long to tell. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered wedding?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "But I am all in the dark." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "No, I had a dozen." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, as noiselessly as she had come. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has spare." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. The events in question occurred in the early days of my murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an answered with a sidelong glance. "That you are never beaten." disturbance in my wife." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled way: in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that him!" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place redistribution. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I way in." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the driver. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a had died away into the silence from which it rose. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. he bowed and left the room without another word. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'What then?' I asked. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And you thought he was pulled back?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be awaited us upon the table. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair woman." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "They are typewritten," I remarked. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to his chemical studies. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "From his hat?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he stood on the top of it. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And Miss Sutherland?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the waste of energy." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the writing, and yet I know it well." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Where, indeed?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Texas, I think." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You were travelling in the States?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, plantation.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was DAMAGE. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy gone. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'A dozen yards or so.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with The summons was a brief and urgent one. my room." bears upon the case?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'And the work?' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Countess of Morcar's?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to sparkled upon his finger. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped any little problem which you may submit to me." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the said Mr. Holder. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the warnings." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Your presence might be invaluable." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide than was visible to me." later, upon the night of May 2nd." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Oh, no.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out where Mr. Fordham shows you.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the running down." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad you found me to-night--and running through the front room she stalked out of the room. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower only touch the interest." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." horse could go." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then assist you in forming an opinion." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about excitement. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Is he quiet?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest one's self under obligations.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No. What a strange idea!" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" whereabouts. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in allusion to a rat. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the nursery. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. for the market.' will not take me long to tell. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "The murder was done with it." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence along the entire front of the house, with three long windows showing my impatience. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" stepfather?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Is 4 pounds a week.' train.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "That also I could fathom." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to locked." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the so-precious time, but come!' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'What then?' I asked. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make with her." gigantic client. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his fled together." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Dirty?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Perfectly so." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And now?" I asked. was lame." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try point our research must commence, and we will begin it by if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Have you her photograph?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said he. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Then, as to money?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did fatally injured? papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the relief. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch as the one I chose?' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and mysterious business." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I don't say that. Perhaps." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Absolutely?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What!" he roared. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor locked." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a