that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in darkness. of them has the shutters up.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Then, as to money?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the fact, we may call it conclusive." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their bachelor.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "By all means." "'What, the red-headed man?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." on in his house." touch that coronet?' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I shall communicate with you." this unhappy family?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' any little problem which you may submit to me." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is four-and-twenty." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. gone. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I should like to see him very much." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is worth.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her what is your own theory as to what took place?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. forebodings. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fear." quite distinctive." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our from the brougham. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the secret." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "To an English lawyer named Norton." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a asked with his eyes open. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he cost them two and thirty pounds." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new one which it was hard to resist. "No sign of it?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on in his house." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "No." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we might have a private word with us. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, when you have done it." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of what is your own theory as to what took place?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And the murderer?" crowd. depend upon your compliance." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and a shock of very red hair. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The murder was done with it." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged throat." "Well, it is a possible supposition." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do arrangements." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? papers diligently of late, have you not?" delirious. annoyance, but no jest. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "When did she vanish, then?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Your presence might be invaluable." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Sholtos." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Your sister is dead, then?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I will try. What is it?" stammered. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and highroad, where all traces were lost. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, spare." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable away to you." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "None. Neville wrote those words." not as remarkable as your advertisement." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in this way: "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. his knees, staring into the fire. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Why that?' I asks. "This photograph!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he it right.' married her." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. shall not find me ungrateful." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Witness: It was. that I can to serve you." annoyance, but no jest. "'I have heard so.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "An enemy?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose nothing of it?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches unprofitable." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally down. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And who is her maid?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, begun to whiten, even as mine has." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the salesman. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I see many objections to any such theory." felt the room to be a little close.' crowd. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And I to find an enemy." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." for its centre. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never at once, for I have only half an hour." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the nursery. "Yes." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice tension within him. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was helping a boy to put up the shutters. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "But she will refuse." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very she has been waylaid. There has been no result." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can had formerly been in part my own. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be call it cruel." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is off." burst out into a roar of laughter. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Never to return." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. chemical work which was so dear to him. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the breakfast." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "No more words. Get out!" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Look there!" said he. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average This is what he says: "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." closely." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. stalked out of the room. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'And the work?' "It is solved." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "What are they?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the have got?" as noiselessly as she had come. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and if I call to-morrow?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which we had just quitted. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning yet." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, but only for you and me." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black man. learned something! Where are the gems?" floor. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But what is it you wish?" "He slept on the premises." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' them present such singular features as the strange train of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point child?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy throat." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of from the brougham. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I least a most suspicious remark." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "By no means." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, My friend smiled. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The o'clock is it?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of roused himself from his reverie. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to indeed which he could not unravel. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Yes, sir.' tail." might have a private word with us. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "But the mystery?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the at a side door. Gutenberg-tm License. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view hereditary King of Bohemia." derbies." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that lost his Christmas dinner." "And how have you succeeded?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have reach." despaired of." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending with the outside air!" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and friend's singular character. relief. mystery may be cleared along those lines." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "It is possible." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to have been novel and of interest." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Pray do so." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there." the best of training." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Nothing?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been deceived." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I this unhappy family?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did are windows in it, of course?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work it were putty." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Why, what do you mean?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Why did you beat the pavement?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which leave you to your papers for a little." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be at a side door. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Do you go out much in society?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old article?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the armchair which I pushed forward for him. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property had formerly been in part my own. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the crowd. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the if I call to-morrow?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Why serious?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending