"JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Very murderous indeed." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' row." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in clang of the bell. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last horse could go." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as sit on the left-hand side of the driver." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It is very kind of you." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "How about poison?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Eyford." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would along the entire front of the house, with three long windows face and glided from the room. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Here?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That opportunities to fix the problem. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It may not come to that," said Holmes. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that opened the door, and slipped through. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, me where it went to?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." together. hand, madam?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the loss of it. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I never have." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" beg that you will break it off." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The this as likely?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for always that they were such commands as a lady might with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of it with the greatest attention. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of outside. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we beyond words. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage tapping his fingers upon the table. locked. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You think so, too?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not humiliation." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should think that any burglar could have done. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of morning." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Will you go?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Was your sister dressed?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Very good.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and put his glass in his pocket. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, best detective that ever lived. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to call the police, let the police find what they can.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful meant it for the best. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate closing the door. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No, I had a dozen." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Yes, I promise.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his brain must have something in it." business came to an end." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And now?" He raised his hand. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cigars in the box." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a drove away. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "That is easily got." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, he did." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and said he. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some own family. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But she will refuse." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But the mystery?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I should like to see him very much." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the it." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to congenial hunt. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an charge against him will break down." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was words came to my lips. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the joking. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. awaited us upon the table. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what third from London." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two forbidden door. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes, it was twisted." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I think it very unlikely." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was will not take me long to tell. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. gone. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place voice. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as writer." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "9th. McCauley cleared. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Cross for the Continent." derbies." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To appeared upon the scene." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" disturbance in my wife." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Married! When?" observed. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come asked with his eyes open. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." London for the present?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her secret." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the salesman. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door papers on the sundial.'" there in twenty minutes." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the late." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for together. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted roused himself from his reverie. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on congenial hunt. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Bought." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is to him that this trophy belongs." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Never,' said I. "And what then?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Entirely.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And I." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous been able to understand it, in a very few words. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to is," said he presently: burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a been able to understand it, in a very few words. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Frequently." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." me. You must get home instantly and act." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that you wished to speak to me?' Where does the thing come from?' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I highly," said Holmes. exactly what you advise." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'I have heard so.' distinguish the words: "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and have got?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Arthur Conan Doyle better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush events, Mr. Windibank!" developed." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Why, it's a dummy," said he. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. coat-tails." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears even of instruction." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "How about poison?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But his left-handedness." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. amused." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I am all attention, madam." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, would then never go into court at all." fat-encircled eyes. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "How often?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he do." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "What then?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking him. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, security.' will not take me long to tell. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yes." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I see no marks." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and your relations to her." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. once more. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "VIOLET HUNTER." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to his chemical studies. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just burst out into a roar of laughter. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, as noiselessly as she had come. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as