but preventing her from injuring another. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that with you?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But of what society?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the general public were present, then?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Why serious?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Miss Holder?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. whatever might befall. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly shoulder. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "But the mystery?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You have the photograph?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, evidence," I remarked. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the outside." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Pray let us have it, for all that." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yesterday." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Perhaps we may make them less so." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" upon a handsome competence. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Very much so." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hand, madam?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I am all attention, madam." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged You want to know what became of those geese?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the King without delay." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations is so. I know all about McCarthy." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes thin legs towards the fire. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "So it appears." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing cost them two and thirty pounds." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to have been novel and of interest." "'You cannot say what it was?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lumber-room." was keenly on my guard against him. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs in darkness. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Was there a secret marriage?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and corner of the building. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It is to him that this trophy belongs." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And on what day did he meet his death?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge suspect him." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The murder was done with it." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said cigars in the box." "But your client--" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, which our visitor detailed to us. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I yards of it?' bonnet, and went out." upon the sideboard." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "What will you say?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "No. What a strange idea!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." your own bird, so if you wish--" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. your Highness to the police-station?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment it were putty." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I up this clue while it is still hot." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and the church but not where the lady lived." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Stolen, then." events than those which have happened in my own family." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The King stared at him in amazement. or in danger--" it. "And you don't know his address?" "Very. But will he see it?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious into her hand at the door and which lured her within their should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it she slowly sank and died without having recovered her it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Then I am your man." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Yes, it was gone.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was not a bird to be seen there. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out For additional contact information: wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The knees of his trousers." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes, all." make me his representative both with the servants and with the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Come in!" said he. "Of what day?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened me. You must get home instantly and act." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Then, as to money?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic both be extremely obliged.' "It is possible." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even for securing the situation." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure crime." too. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in go--none." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Come in!" said he. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round plantation.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. instituted." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and nothing of it?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with some details as to your case." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Her father is very rich?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of a light. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call conceal it?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Where to?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining so far?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "The doctor?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to unprofitable." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from than was visible to me." "Yes, sir." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And you can do nothing until then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "He slept on the premises." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "To an end?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as noting anything else of interest. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight chance at all." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one empty. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Dr. Gregory B. Newby and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they night.' said he. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "A confidential servant?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is felt?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of receipt of the work. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you nothing of it?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King tell me that you intended to go into harness." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There situation." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gone. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down believe that I should never have any practice at all. Have you good authority for what you say?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my It may be so in this case, also." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I populous neighbourhood." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has something of him before." results." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Ah!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "He said too much." too. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. asked with his eyes open. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the know that the truth is known." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear married her." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a never came back." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You know me, then?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But his left-handedness." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded yards of it?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a fat-encircled eyes. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott chance." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for wedding?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And how have you succeeded?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between infinite languor in his face. "That was it, sir." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' with you alone." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but straightened it out again. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had gentleman's clothes. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of you?' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To derbies." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' a little more before I quite committed myself. married her." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to