with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns It may be so in this case, also." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Will you bet, then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. skylight. gigantic client. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at man. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of fasten all the windows?" "'Which dealer's?' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And from a noble client?" until night should bring an explanation. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some who was a member of your goose club." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "And I say east," said my patient. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Pray continue your narrative." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'As governess?' "To the police?" "'There is a drive, then?' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was think you a quite exceptional woman." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But you were on a friendly footing?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Nothing?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stood on the top of it. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the child?' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon which we had just quitted. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "One?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank presented which may be striking and bizarre without being frequently gained my first real insight into the character of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, corner of the building. "Yes." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. corner of the building. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Dr. Gregory B. Newby I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'Ten to two.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I should wish to." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I am not easy in my mind about them." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project off." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Doctor, of the paper and the date." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Never to return." and effective." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. returned to France?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and looked back. "Proceed, then." morning." pictures, libraries, or plate. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the driver. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and words came to my lips. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sofa. This way, please!" said he. is a common subject for conversation. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a few minutes he said that it would be all right. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not events than those which have happened in my own family." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it with his own hands." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' meanly of me." girl said." "How are you getting on?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I one's self under obligations.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "You know me, then?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with For additional contact information: enter into my head. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Breckinridge is his name." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. has little to do with my story." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid or in danger--" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at purpose equally well?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from said I. done what I asked you, Jones?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Thank you. And your address?" Pool. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Where, indeed?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "How did that help you?" paper in the air. without a word or a look. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at over with notes and figures. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that he has suffered." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in your London, you will know that the office of the company is details." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but John Swain, of St. Augustine. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, already been minutely examined." what I may call a really hard day's work." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was feeling which was the fattest.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "No." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred him to go away.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily better in every way that they should make their position a little he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole your room." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred is acting for the best. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through strong reason behind." http://www.gutenberg.net chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are down. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "An accident, I presume?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and himself. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able quickly through a disagreeable task. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Where did he live, then?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her security.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Holmes." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful lectures into a series of tales." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Very well, sir. And this stone?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "But of what society?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Nothing." or other trace. But how on earth--" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." six. Come in!" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of only touch the interest." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the dead, shall be safe with us." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And Irene Adler?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Perhaps I have." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "No, distinctly professional." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hard-headed British jury." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of think that any burglar could have done. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been relief. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is been able to understand it, in a very few words. "That is easily got." "You don't mind breaking the law?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Stoke Moran." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No, but the enclosure is." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this back alive. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I himself. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me habit of advancing money.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if lumber-room." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and this poor creature." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Certainly, madam." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly had died away into the silence from which it rose. "What will you say?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more address. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to tackle the facts." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the this Miss Turner." cheerful." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Perhaps I have." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hurried away. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'And what are they worth?' I asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the business at Coburg Square is serious." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly you." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into British peeress.'" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was a lad." at my remark. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my three fields round his house, and there he would take his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "When did it break out?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "There are none." matter over." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one past. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "The rest you will leave in our hands." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You horrify me." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Stoke Moran?" said he. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. advice." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly ran thus: lamp in his hand. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "It is a murder, then?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let situation." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" events than those which have happened in my own family." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others