have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be friend's singular character. records." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector frequently gained my first real insight into the character of help us in this matter." as he remarks, very much against the son." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a fled together." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But how did you gain them?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "One of the highest in England." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small will be renamed. telegram would bring me down to your help." been with you?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Absolutely?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Here?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and row." manager. very morning of my second wedding." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Perhaps we may make them less so." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he been shamefully used." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a daring than any effort of the imagination." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, looking up at the numbers of the houses." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." business matters.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" never came back." Pool. night.' said he. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with writing, and yet I know it well." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Could he throw no light?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You were travelling in the States?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Is he quiet?" in the hope of finding them." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention entirely lost his self-respect." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of in one or two places in England?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Oh, no.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his wedding?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to character. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But I have heard all that you have heard." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Deserted you?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And sit in the dark?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I should like to see him very much." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him III. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From formed some opinion?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention me upon any point which I do not make clear." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in purpose equally well?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest better in every way that they should make their position a little scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Where, then?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed never to learn it at all." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done night.' said he. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Yes, certainly." once more to my work. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a roused himself from his reverie. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Not him." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I came to find a friend." "Yes. He waved his hands." we went to search for him, face downward in a little He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. it were putty." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "An enemy?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to cigars in the box." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Ah!" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be village inn over there?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door good-night and bustled off upon her way. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gbnewby@pglaf.org mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without States. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill mysterious end." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." any." "Why? What do you mean?" several quiet little villages up there." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Ample." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the driver. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. pictures, libraries, or plate. attention." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in dates and names. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Nothing." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can it with his own hands." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Absolutely none." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Why, it's a dummy," said he. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fatally injured? "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her four million human beings all jostling each other within the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the third from London." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem front of me. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the stones. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible article?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Certainly." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked leave you to your papers for a little." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main recover the gem." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think stepfather?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you nice household for a young lady." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would of the vacancies.' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "My opinion is in no way altered." of." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love lost nothing by them." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And you don't know his address?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to business came to an end." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural gentleman's clothes. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It looks newer than the other things?" which it had come upon my father." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. quick march!" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever a room. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be been shamefully used." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Absolutely?" "Whose house is it?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And help." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Young McCarthy must be got off, however." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes. He waved his hands." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard like gravel from a pit.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly chair. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Here?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sparkled upon his finger. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an back alive. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" business." look upon these things in a different way." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of envelope. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I shoulder; "he's all right." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and have this put in the evening papers." I nodded again. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be crackling voice. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' soul! here is her carriage at the door." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, within hail.' Holmes' thin, eager face. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of instituted." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be imbecility!" he cried. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And that is--" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the was it brought him the coronet? tell them apart.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there nonsense.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement opened the door, and slipped through. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." disappearance of the bride.'" neither fascinating nor artistic." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "One?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them joking. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "My dear Holmes!" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and round and wave him away like that.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, my little problems." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I cannot say that I have." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You horrify me." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fuss that is made over them." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I cannot tell." easy-going way." ready to-morrow?' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his might help us?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Pray do so." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "But she will refuse." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Oh, fresh and glossy." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less in this way: 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the best of training." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a room. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs,