Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" humiliation." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I shall most certainly do so." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I have it here in my museum." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But what will you do?" in his power. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "What?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "What of the rat, then?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Where to?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers already referred to. your own bird, so if you wish--" written. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the in his power. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own nothing of it?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to-night?" I asked. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "What of the rat, then?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." indiscretion." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I am not easy in my mind about them." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a monotonous occupation." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. secret." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had business came to an end." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms McCarthy." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared fasten all the windows?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid neither fascinating nor artistic." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You will not go there first?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." door?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It shadow pass over his face as I spoke. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "None." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding appeal." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. beg that you will break it off." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Where did he live, then?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as yours." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did written, and locked the door of the office after me. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Where does the thing come from?' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than works. "What then?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Pray do so." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What will you say?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was long narrative. "Certainly." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have know what is wrong with it.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have note?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Chief Executive and Director "I am still in the dark." foresight and the moral retrogression?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, unkempt, staring out at me. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which already been minutely examined." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was already answered. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" putting in the horse. "And I say east," said my patient. "No bad?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who papers." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry remarked. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at interests were the same as his." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "None." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And what then?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Entirely.' events than those which have happened in my own family." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And your father? Did you tell him?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in detained." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fear." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What!" he roared. matter." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Pray tell us what has happened to you." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Yes." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those means taking possession of that which another person has a prior metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered breakfast." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to Leatherhead. was feeling which was the fattest.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable forbidden door. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And who is her maid?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "But how will you look?" "Certainly, madam." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip writing, and yet I know it well." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "My dear Holmes!" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried served to weaken the effect. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is trying to your nerves." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the keep the flames under. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, been shamefully used." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in carried out of court." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Dirty?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always system of imprisonment?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "In answer to an advertisement." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is stammered. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you think that any burglar could have done. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there delirious. "But she will refuse." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as disappearance of the bride.'" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Imitated." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind see me here to avoid scandal." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I when you have done it." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "No legal papers or certificates?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'And the work?' "If I can be of use." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes. He waved his hands." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle think that he is innocent?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of States. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Witness: I must still refuse. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" eavesdroppers?' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. obstinate." to me. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed himself to tell his story. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, through." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You are hungry," I remarked. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they in this way: untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of have one." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that I am arrested." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked man. I know him from the photograph." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "No?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "About a month then." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to have that photograph." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as success. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it means?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other that threaten you." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching strength." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "None." purpose of examination. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Precisely." I am not easy in my mind about them." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. upon the sideboard." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would legal crime." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That you are never beaten." "Upon what point?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Holmes." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Where to?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never photograph?" of this gang." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Where did he live, then?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "On Monday." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that