so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out tear off another piece?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both both be extremely obliged.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "How do you know, then?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, neither fascinating nor artistic." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me she might be summoned. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Yes." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I should wish to." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the one as in the other." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned correct than the official force." mysterious end." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the coronet in his hand?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so mystery." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off villagers almost as much as their master. footfalls from the street. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though some water from a caraffe. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "At half-wages, in fact." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that fait accompli?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an sofa. This way, please!" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in questionable one." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining him nearly every evening." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Eyford at 11:15.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I am in hopes that she does." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always house for five minutes.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to next day. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Pray do so." desk. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and files of the old papers, following the future career of every American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary writing, and yet I know it well." crime. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and beg that you will break it off." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Pool. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Countess of Morcar's?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' at my own good fortune. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that threaten you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Very truly yours, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Dark enough and sinister enough." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "And what did you see?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "What! a murderous attack?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to desk. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you them?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him she used." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Dr. Becher's." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something important." You want to know what became of those geese?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to your most interesting statement." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Tired-looking or fresh?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Pray do so." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an notes," he said. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and have this put in the evening papers." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid daring than any effort of the imagination." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since occurred." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Surrey." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he depend upon my doing so.' maiden herself was most instructive." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the little opening for the ventilator is." business came to an end." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone brain must have something in it." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your floor. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "He said too much." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried arrangements." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small becomes even more simple." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a villagers almost as much as their master. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the have been better. It is all right." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, placed his cuttings. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my little trying to do so much typewriting?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Pray continue your narrative." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Pray let us have it, for all that." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a ashen face. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I will, Miss Turner." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now lamp in his hand. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily British peeress.'" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "And the cigar-holder?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Seven!" I answered. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the is four-and-twenty." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter morning." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this murdered man." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a never will be, entirely cleared up. "Breckinridge is his name." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. character. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then enough to aid us in our search." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "But of what society?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the where we are going." where we are going." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Of what day?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. signal between you and your father? "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage straighten it?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson any little problem which you may submit to me." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some touch that coronet?' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I cannot tell." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "My own seal." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always death." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you placed his cuttings. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss all-comprehensive glances. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It's nothing of the kind." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but even of instruction." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fat-encircled eyes. the station." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever invisible to me," I remarked. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Was your sister dressed?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he dramatic, in fact." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" not, dad?" she asked. the Red-headed League." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Have you her photograph?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door cause to be." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But I am all in the dark." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I do." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, narrative." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small your most interesting statement." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hurried by. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up humiliation." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Yes." "How did you trace it, then?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as redistribution. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the south-west, I see." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our trifles." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would observed. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much happened." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Surrey." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the crime." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It surprised me." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. have got?" is acting for the best. standing smiling on the door-step. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective test if we have an answer to our advertisement." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to minor matters until to-morrow."