disappearance of the bride.'" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'And the work?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Stolen." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. My friend smiled. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and capable of preserving a secret.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And your mother is alive?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his without a word or a look. crowd. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "If so, much may have happened between." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his what these perils are?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Very. But will he see it?" and I shall be with you presently." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Then you may be so with me." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed never came back." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, shaken than I had ever seen him. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I promise," said Holmes. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the loss of it. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of hardly wander." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. him!" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It goes to the housekeeper's room." place no limit on the sum I may draw." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would events than those which have happened in my own family." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is his hat." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a man. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' this poor creature." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what followed. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "No." "Yes, he did." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Your presence might be invaluable." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the inner apartment." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It was." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn said I. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Was there a secret marriage?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and once more. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And Miss Sutherland?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who before the coroner and the police-court." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first have established a very serious case against the son of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the coronet at all injured?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But I have heard all that you have heard." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day crowd. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he detective. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being three fields round his house, and there he would take his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to take care of herself." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wedding?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'As governess?' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the ceiling. himself. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." where she found matters as described by the last witness. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And what did you learn from him?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the you." against a man in the prime of life?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the formed some opinion?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sneer upon his pale face. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I was sure that I might rely on you." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these within hail.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Henry Baker is a member." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the from the brougham. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Seven!" I answered. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Really! You surprise me." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work galvanised. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." with you?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." remarked. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the vanished into the darkness. for securing the situation." drove away. "Yes, from Horsham." "Thank you. Pray proceed." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be away to you." the window, rose as we entered. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become not interfere, come what may. You understand?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stepfather?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of me have 200 pounds?' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I have a cab outside." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I returning from some small jollification and was making his way surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my bare slabs of marble. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Come in!" said Holmes. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes. He waved his hands." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for weary and pale-looking. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of examine." "None." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My own seal." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the nursery. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It goes to the housekeeper's room." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is infinite languor in his face. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "That was it, sir." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I promise," said Holmes. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that hurried by. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The your bag." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for said he. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It is possible." the coronet in his hand?" "I cannot tell." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in himself in a perplexing position. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It was an hour's good drive." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ample." looking up at the numbers of the houses." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, a suggestive one." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And Irene Adler?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all their singular warning or token before them when starting upon all-comprehensive glances. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the south-west, I see." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may cheerful." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we completely overtopped every other consideration that we both some water from a caraffe. open." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official himself to tell his story. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his morning." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? results." Farm upon the left." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "The gentleman I describe." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not stood on the top of it. mystery may be cleared along those lines." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Entirely." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Have you her photograph?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and depend upon my doing so.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for been with you?" been shamefully used." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed before, for it was considerably after midnight. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, certainly." "But how did you gain them?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fattened it expressly for you.' quite distinctive." to-night?" I asked. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no brain must have something in it." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." advice." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had sneer upon his pale face. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Of Friday, June 19th." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "But his lameness?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "On Monday." "From his hat?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification read over the extraordinary announcement. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to Leatherhead. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Stoke Moran." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Her father is very rich?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use