Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite him to be an active member of the medical profession." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and effective." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person been with you?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. it right.' Farm upon the left." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, brain must have something in it." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the general public were present, then?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Only as much as we can deduce." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's which are rolled in Rotterdam." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. was keenly on my guard against him. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did house for five minutes.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And what did you learn from him?" "Where, then, is my wife?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would dear old homesteads?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I cannot think." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "That's no good." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And the cigar-holder?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. despair." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my place of silver." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a as he folded up the epistle. astonishment. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action house for five minutes.' late." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Eh? What was that?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that money should be paid at once.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of at home. "And you can do nothing until then?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Then how many are there?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a detained." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Was there a secret marriage?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "My dear Holmes!" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had existence." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "What do you mean?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "He slept on the premises." definite end. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold eavesdroppers?' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. them, and came down just as you departed. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "He said too much." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to instituted." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low get the tickets." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the driver. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman tied." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on it." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Just look it up, then." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for made his money." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sound at heart." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Did you become engaged then?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that, and I came down." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. second window is the one that I jumped from." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 did not hear it also.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I furiously. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You have a clue?" me. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I am in hopes that she does." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" both be extremely obliged.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. cheerful." Does that suggest anything?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. fasten all the windows?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in him." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine think that any burglar could have done. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm at my remark. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'As governess?' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Indeed! Whose, then?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom lectures into a series of tales." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a few minutes he said that it would be all right. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. one of the states of the Union." "Well." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this London for the present?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was must be when I saw the door open.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips been with you?" take the flies, but not before." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with papers diligently of late, have you not?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You horrify me." companion quietly. affair. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite hair?' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. did not hear it also.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Never,' said I. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I say that I have solved it." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that he will be back before evening." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Quite so. She has her freedom." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on appeared upon the scene." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the night.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but not fit the lock." such attractions and accomplishments?' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" disappearance of these gems?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I should wish to." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Watson," he said cordially. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I see no marks." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Very truly yours, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Certainly,' I answered. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some once more to my work. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Tired-looking or fresh?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ordinary clothes on?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "No, I had a dozen." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "The murder was done with it." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us room?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental silent! Oh, he will be silent!' empty. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the do.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then what has happened to him?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to some other building. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid own family. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble in darkness. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this flock.' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this chance at all." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "None." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he October 9, 1890. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Holmes' thin, eager face. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It's nothing of the kind." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly again on its way. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of read it out to me." "None." acted in my house last night?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon respectable self." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and glanced through. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the a very grave face. clanging. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now you for a few hours?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's if she died from some sudden fright." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was get her out of the way." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and than to us. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It is possible." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored see a sister of mine apply for." "Then, how do you know?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Then I shall certainly come." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks your only hope of safety." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for