he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ran thus: but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or there." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Munro.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Very good.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "BALLARAT." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin power." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the tragedy. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the best of training." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As better grown goose." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa works. See paragraph 1.E below. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which present." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" excitement. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. bedroom door." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. nonsense.' we went to search for him, face downward in a little Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the King without delay." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is envelope. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the these bleak autumnal evenings." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Holmes, the busybody!" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest business." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among envelope. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that you can jump it.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. chemical work which was so dear to him. "You have carte blanche." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right which we had just quitted. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "It is true that I have been generally successful." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are system of imprisonment?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down test if we have an answer to our advertisement." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and no precautions can guard against." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "On Monday." "It was." sufficient punishment." "Then how many are there?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all outsides of the windows. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in a very precise fashion." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No acquaintance?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to bedroom door." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked looking up at the numbers of the houses." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "We were both in the photograph." open." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the loss of it. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was too. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said colonel looking down at me. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Certainly." people in all walks of life. I am not easy in my mind about them." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Where does the thing come from?' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the paper in the air. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "How about poison?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Where to?" "I think it very unlikely." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You have but to name it." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." papers on the sundial.'" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "How about poison?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low case-book, which he consulted. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Foundation "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and the whole place is in a blaze." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all case-book, which he consulted. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the salesman. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several him to go away.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "But I have heard all that you have heard." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and disappearance of the bride.'" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my anything to do with the matter?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'A dozen yards or so.' "But not more so than I to find you." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey cigars in the box." weary and pale-looking. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Was there a secret marriage?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all could not account in any way for the presence of the missing study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It must be recovered." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed there were one or two details which were new to me. But the in. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide question. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at that there was nothing in it, after all." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dramatic, in fact." wall." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began congenial hunt. this poor creature." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of Mr. Rucastle's." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have I gained?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to-morrow." point in the dark hollow of his hand. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yes. He waved his hands." "'What then?' I asked. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Perhaps we may make them less so." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that I am arrested." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "An accident, I presume?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm him. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes, that is the Crown." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged followed. and the whole place is in a blaze." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." future lives." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Do you receive much company?" he asked. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's this Miss Turner." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive next day. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress that I may have something better before very many minutes are unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The King of Scandinavia." "Perhaps I have." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt call it cruel." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had meant." "Certainly." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And the cigar-holder?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was were new raised from a basin. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." existence." "My photograph." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Eh? What was that?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on ran thus: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Never.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who photograph?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the papers." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call delirious. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of bled considerably." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "So I have heard." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong of receipt of the work. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Again Holmes raved in the air. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fatally injured? questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Holmes. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Why did you pick him?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You did not overhear what they said?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding enough to aid us in our search." cigars in the box." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And what did you learn from him?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will will he say when he returns?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets my little problems." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said than was visible to me." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at go from here to the Strand." "No, I had a dozen." "It surprised me." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, during that time.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my assist you in forming an opinion." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." bell. Holmes whistled. "My dear Holmes!" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Then how many are there?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that, and I came down." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very States. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As