of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Where did you address your letters, then?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Were they all fastened this morning?" delirious. held up the lantern and gazed about him. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fattened it expressly for you.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. beg that you will break it off." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your jewels which you have stolen?' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Deserted you?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to have been novel and of interest." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his spark where all is dark to me." "And why?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges gone before you can get him to hospital." and laid it on the table. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock not within a twentieth part of the market price." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is possible." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his face which made him a very different person to the round, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the legal crime." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and maid will bring up your coffee." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's gives a meaning to it." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just away to you." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in his power. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "But to whom?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "How did he come?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "How did you trace it, then?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your young Openshaw's." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not against a man in the prime of life?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was keenly on my guard against him. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding eat it." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a meanly of me." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. some city in a dream. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That is not always so easy." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. IS fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" McCarthy." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you been with you?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and a good hundred miles off by now." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a used to be." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Seven!" I answered. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond it." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" will he say when he returns?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, fresh and glossy." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to him!" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? that before taking the final step I should like to submit the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil wanted for ourselves." fat-encircled eyes. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. our word." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to official police." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that he has suffered." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of purpose of examination. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in be.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she have got?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle geese which you supplied to the Alpha." appeared upon the scene." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my served to weaken the effect. "But I am all in the dark." like gravel from a pit.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "What shall I do?" "Will you bet, then?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the touch that coronet?' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "That is easily got." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in he bowed and left the room without another word. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own works. See paragraph 1.E below. waste of energy." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Nothing." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'How far from the body?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train conversation I have gathered that they have been married about waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the this poor creature." "Why did you pick him?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sutherland. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I leave." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll o'clock is it?" to his chemical studies. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It missed him, then?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Never,' said I. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very said I. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "The murder was done with it." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' shoulder; "he's all right." noble correspondent could be. records." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "My last client of the sort was a king." know all about it," he snarled. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching be.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I promise," said Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. closely." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we desk. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were system of imprisonment?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second row." as he remarks, very much against the son." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very prepare for the new role I have to play." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they details should find their way into the papers. Inspector done what I asked you, Jones?" "My dear Holmes!" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** away into the river." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "My dear Holmes!" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and know that the truth is known." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this whatever might befall. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and the colonel ushered me in. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in habit of advancing money.' the stones. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. as this. Pray let me have the details." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in prepare for the new role I have to play." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. once more to my work. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was footfalls from the street. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house drove away. and the church but not where the lady lived." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the roots. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and no precautions can guard against." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our forecastle of an emigrant ship. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but or in danger--" from the brougham. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of discontent upon his features. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's brandy and water within his reach. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to affect your life." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and spark where all is dark to me." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps way in." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Not in the least." "Yes, sir." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in noble correspondent could be.