accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the stones. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, status with the IRS. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "At what time?" fasten all the windows?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic himself to tell his story. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant not come at once?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival friend's singular character. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of out." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in neither fascinating nor artistic." felt the room to be a little close.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." be.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I guessed as much." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow lost nothing by them." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is crowd. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Precisely." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the night.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. coroner's jury." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I don't believe it." here." his fortune, and I went back to pa. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening something of him before." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards four million human beings all jostling each other within the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport strength of mind to control. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police help us in this matter." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" do." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," meanly of me." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Entirely." are, and they are waiting for us." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by voice, changing her seat as requested. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of had this final quarrel? was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, but China?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of page at http://pglaf.org wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I correct than the official force." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE impression behind it as though a window had gently closed didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't key turn in the lock." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "How often?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this questionable one." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Well, some hundreds of times." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a confronted him. hour?' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and face and glided from the room. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Stolen." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Certainly not.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' walking." outside." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, This is what he says: Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "In what way?" asked Holmes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that, and I came down." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend could not account in any way for the presence of the missing receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a we went to search for him, face downward in a little waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will existence." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Was she in good spirits?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Where is it, then?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "From his hat?" once more to my work. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the inner apartment." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "My dear Holmes!" "No good news?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another someone who had been in Australia." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle believe that I should never have any practice at all. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched could not account in any way for the presence of the missing you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you derbies." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so emerged. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight less than 26s. 4d. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It certainly sounds feasible." said he at last. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What then?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point himself. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gentleman's clothes. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long newspaper selections." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the writing, and yet I know it well." "And for present expenses?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a wife's character?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes, it was twisted." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a relief. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the were wasted." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to go into your room and bar your shutters?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite take the flies, but not before." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with or other trace. But how on earth--" roused himself from his reverie. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is noble correspondent could be. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her way in." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "One?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "And why?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked miles off. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered overpowering excitement and concern. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, that is the Crown." answer." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of at once, for I have only half an hour." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible again." heavily into it. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that he has suffered." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I am following you closely," I answered. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Street. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, ourselves in the office." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in extraordinary contortions. "That is easily got." the one as in the other." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the station." "Pray continue your narrative." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots me have 200 pounds?' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your despaired of." "But who is he?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but stalked out of the room. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was pressing in one house as in another. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of undoubtedly my uncle's." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the yet." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes rather sternly. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "No more words. Get out!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few bled considerably." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was me have 200 pounds?' "And I to find an enemy." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Texas, I think." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a crackling voice. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter their singular warning or token before them when starting upon through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is had a long day." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just happened." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always few hundred pounds.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in again." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Stolen!' he cried. everything which you would wish to know." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet any." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be opportunities to fix the problem. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And the murderer?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have most interesting one." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in ran thus: but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would arrested. You then--" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I beg pardon." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." heavy and sharp instrument." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and business matters.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. any little problem which you may submit to me." will be renamed. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in one or two places in England?' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of Fenchurch Street." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a suggestive one." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I will, Miss Turner." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. pierced for earrings?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, For additional contact information: morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing brandy and water within his reach. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I see no marks." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then I can wait in the next room." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then, as to money?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and companion quietly. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an galvanised. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker.