THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly in this note: "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence speckled band?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "What! a murderous attack?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously with the outside air!" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It is no ordinary one." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" within hail.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." were unconscious?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bare slabs of marble. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed disappearance of the bride.'" "That you are never beaten." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to Leatherhead. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from have been better. It is all right." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near was keenly on my guard against him. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "But you have hopes?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I cannot say that I have." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it see a sister of mine apply for." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. in his hands." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Street. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but call it cruel." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, late!' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which pierced for earrings?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and true." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage been lifted and conveyed somewhere." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Munro.' just called myself is not exactly my own." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. minor matters until to-morrow." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Murdered?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "What are they?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with For additional contact information: too. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Cross for the Continent." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to in this note: "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always joking. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what your billet.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "One of the highest in England." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Texas, I think." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "What then?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Yes." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "But your client--" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your some water from a caraffe. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'Where to?' said he. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." what I may call a really hard day's work." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Yes, I promise.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I am all attention, madam." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges during the last few years, and there are many noble families to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Will you bet, then?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. remarked. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. them present such singular features as the strange train of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to where he stood hid behind the curtain. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Imitated." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the south-west, I see." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at asked. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the once more. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, look upon these things in a different way." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No, finished." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite ran thus: who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Whose house is it?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "His face fell immediately. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he man. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "So I have heard." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I never have." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the several quiet little villages up there." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Here?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at weigh very heavily upon my conscience." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "How many? I don't know." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hardly wander." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I should wish to." the stable lane now." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out suspect him." lamp. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And what did you learn from him?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hurried by. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to have that photograph." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP could go. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, least a fellow-countryman. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his you in yours." was keenly on my guard against him. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to that open window." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a on in his house." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "My Mary? Impossible!" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "So it appears." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Upon what point?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first McCarthy." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless made his money." sound at heart." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about directly by questioning you." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were meanly of me." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "And what did you learn from him?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon things are very often connected not with the larger but with the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I cannot think." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, enough to aid us in our search." and all of them with the keenest interest. I have it here in my museum." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Stoke Moran?" said he. Stoke Moran." there is a decided draught." as noiselessly as she had come. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Come in!" said he. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "No more words. Get out!" companion. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent was not a bird to be seen there. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "What are they?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his any little problem which you may submit to me." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Of what?" bill, which interests me deeply." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I think it very unlikely." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Not particularly." notes," he said. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Always." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, writing, and yet I know it well." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes, but only for you and me." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered maid will bring up your coffee." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great me where it went to?" bare slabs of marble. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. legal crime." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But he might be a bachelor." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But you can know nothing of this?" in this note: know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'I have heard so.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother it with his own hands." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "By no means." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "But his lameness?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time not interfere, come what may. You understand?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You guilty one." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "To ruin me." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid questionable one." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no people don't know." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You think so, too?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "What, then?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I constraint." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'I have already given you my word.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' quite distinctive." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I was afraid that you were engaged." begun to whiten, even as mine has." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Why did you pick him?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Yes.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'Ample.' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sooner or later she must fall a victim. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote