Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, whole matter to your consideration." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for thin legs towards the fire. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and present." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hardly wander." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Did you become engaged then?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after said he. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue asked. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that there was nothing in it, after all." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told joking. very old mansion. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I will do it." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Eyford." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever better grown goose." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to walking." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would nonsense.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And I say east," said my patient. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "What I expected to see." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I knowledge of the world." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner before, for it was considerably after midnight. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, companion. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in which are rolled in Rotterdam." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had confronted him. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "To the police?" of the way of danger. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can said he at last. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Upon what point?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I think that it is very probable." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to-night's adventure." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And sit in the dark?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "By no means." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the salesman. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in experiences." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different once more to my work. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my place no limit on the sum I may draw." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no you." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Was she in good spirits?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at appointment with me for six o'clock?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after roused himself from his reverie. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is," said he presently: but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen residence of the great financier. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Nothing." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a papers must be those that are destroyed.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Henry Baker is a member." "Pray do so." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of written. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the roots. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for new duties?' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Was your sister dressed?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined The King stared at him in amazement. all-comprehensive glances. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to-night's adventure." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Deserted you?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that dramatic, in fact." keep the flames under. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to woman." http://gutenberg.net/license). himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather visitors." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But his lameness?" he bowed and left the room without another word. records." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of charge against him will break down." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the bottom.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right occurred." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "How often?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a outsides of the windows. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I have a cab outside." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But we can't all be." the very morning of the wedding." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in have not had my rubber." address. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Gutenberg-tm License. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar go back?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Proceed, then." extraordinary contortions. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain never to learn it at all." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of official police." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Deserted you?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "How often?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes." over here." and glanced through. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." meant." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Eh? What was that?" "And from a noble client?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just this truth that in these little records of our cases which you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon so far?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of the vacancies.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Yes.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project not fit the lock." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young developed." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you in yours." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and a shock of very red hair. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang money should be paid at once.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and plantation.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that, and I came down." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't tension within him. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And how have you succeeded?" is a common subject for conversation. "You horrify me." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to take care of herself." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Where did you address your letters, then?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And I say east," said my patient. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it right.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, in a friendly supper." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, so far?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to again, where I was soon asleep. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "One of his hands." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Dirty?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Frequently." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a just ask you whether you had heard it.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I shall be delighted." something of him before." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire unprecedented a position." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf chemical work which was so dear to him. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I cannot as yet see any connection." McCarthy." works. province." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "In heaven's name, what for?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and looked back. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Deserted you?" I nodded to show that I had heard. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, it is a possible supposition." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty quick march!" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen