"And where is it?" I asked, smiling. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and the whole place is in a blaze." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then not as remarkable as your advertisement." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'You cannot say what it was?' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Certainly." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "And when will you call?" standing smiling on the door-step. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But you can know nothing of this?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor is so. I know all about McCarthy." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from it right.' "Come in!" said he. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." respectable self." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and the whole place is in a blaze." place of silver." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this sofa. This way, please!" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the devil!" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'A dozen yards or so.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm giving me time to thank him. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "What can you not understand?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, but preventing her from injuring another. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' coroner's jury." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "You think that he is dead?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And what did you learn from him?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that be sorry for having acted so harshly." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But not more so than I to find you." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no happened." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "What do you mean?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney started for the Temple to see my husband. "Will you bet, then?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful During two years I have had three consultations and one small of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fuss that is made over them." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, writers could invent nothing more crude." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can instituted." closing the door. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Which are?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, wedding?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but compunction about shooting them down." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was feeling which was the fattest.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without danger is over." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And from a noble client?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which it had come upon my father." "Pray continue your narrative." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. nights." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my head. So long, then!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small definite end. "Why serious?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is your only hope of safety." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I see many objections to any such theory." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Eyford at 11:15.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I would give my fortune to have them back." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to some other building. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. your most interesting statement." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am again, where I was soon asleep. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and put his glass in his pocket. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never charge against him will break down." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which shall not find me ungrateful." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk touch that coronet?' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to-morrow." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shall use the carriage to-night." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I have a cab outside." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Yes." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for reach." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the said he. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a morning." "I will, Miss Turner." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had chance." "Well." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came from you?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The murder was done with it." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been is four-and-twenty." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police whatever might befall. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cigar and let me expound." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, absorbing." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her answered with a sidelong glance. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Your French gold?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. you want, then?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "And how did he make his money?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the acquaintance?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his paper in the air. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing sofa. This way, please!" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little families. Now for the facts. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You horrify me!" "What steps will you take?" I asked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I cannot as yet see any connection." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to written. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we locked." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It was an hour's good drive." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. you do it in twenty minutes!' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Cross for the Continent." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It must be recovered." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Which dealer's?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day prisoner's face. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "But she will refuse." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was used.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in for the market.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Not in the least." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." matters immensely." I shall communicate with you." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could waste of energy." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What then?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And it is--" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of them has the shutters up.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it were putty." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, danger is over." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you remarked. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, article?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I warn you that they are very incomplete." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the warnings." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Then I can wait in the next room." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be there was no need for father to know." someone who had been in Australia." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "At what time?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, extraordinary contortions.