long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And why?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving again on its way. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which maiden herself was most instructive." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Eyford." "And help." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the business." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who begin with, and I had not got mine yet." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps extraordinary contortions. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. entirely devoid of interest." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'What, the red-headed man?' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It is very kind of you." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles returned to France?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." I leave." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and all of them with the keenest interest. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What of the rat, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. highroad, where all traces were lost. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But how?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But she could not love him." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do burst out into a roar of laughter. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Countess of Morcar's?" reach." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that views." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her make me his representative both with the servants and with the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in papers." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and do you make of it all?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "What then?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which hopeless attempt at recovering them." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "When did it break out?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Why, what do you mean?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another where we are going." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled your equipment. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money future lives." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful situation." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fled together." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase hand, madam?" DAMAGE. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, papers." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece room?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this which was all perfectly true. "Dark enough and sinister enough." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE humiliation." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "My Mary? Impossible!" "And is that all?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Have you it here?" events, Mr. Windibank!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. your sleep?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only past. Eyford at 11:15.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." me upon any point which I do not make clear." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." empty. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "The landlord of the Alpha." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather country, and eventually married, without anyone having a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You don't mind breaking the law?" it." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of affair. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Who was the criminal, then?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Have you good authority for what you say?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. events than those which have happened in my own family." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given electronic works great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Why, what do you mean?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "No." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Arthur Conan Doyle purpose of examination. him." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Thank you. And your address?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My bled considerably." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the Assizes." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs this man was intellectual?" "The gentleman I describe." "No, but the enclosure is." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Yes, it was twisted." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You know me, then?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction directors have had misgivings upon the subject." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my charge against him will break down." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And now?" I asked. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried overpowering excitement and concern. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never guilty one." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Farm upon the left." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." are, I think, all that we need." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Yes, only one." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Leadenhall Street--and--" "Of Friday, June 19th." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the tragedy. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Quite so." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. enter into my head. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'I shall certainly be there.' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Perhaps I have." you." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I know where it is." the running down." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Your French gold?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time six. Come in!" himself. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire or other trace. But how on earth--" "He is dead," cried several voices. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." examine." McCarthy's innocence. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord maid will bring up your coffee." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into possible that we could bring him back to her? 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a garden below. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I think it very unlikely." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'In my own bureau.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and your own bird, so if you wish--" suspect him." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It's nothing of the kind." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon certainly do as you advise." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You'll never persuade me to believe that." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets until night should bring an explanation. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Pope's Court, Fleet Street." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the salesman. "And why?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the McCarthy." October 9, 1890. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What will you say?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" detained." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the matter?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Then he might have called to you?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and correct than the official force." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each opportunities to fix the problem. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "What steps will you take?" I asked. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of the efforts of the United States government and of the better was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, prepare for the new role I have to play." fled together." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did it." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "One horse?" interjected Holmes. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my open." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The signal between you and your father? snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the man. papers on the sundial.'" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to go into your room and bar your shutters?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should key of the affair now." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." putting in the horse. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who have accepted such a situation. meant it for the best. directly by questioning you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed