were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which people don't know." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our affair. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "How did that help you?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were photograph?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And what did you see?" "When did it break out?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Does that suggest anything?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "My Mary? Impossible!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from notes," he said. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded impression behind it as though a window had gently closed All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in security.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon detained." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to in his hands." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk second window is the one that I jumped from." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the station." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who business." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Precisely." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and capable of preserving a secret.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Ten to two.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic power." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside has little to do with my story." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, strong reason behind." "We have tried and failed." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Then I am your man." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Munro.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one there!' always that they were such commands as a lady might with whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And what did you see?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "My own seal." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But not more so than I to find you." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the said he. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he one's self under obligations.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was not a bird to be seen there. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Street. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Holmes' face clouded over. bears upon the case?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his kind enough to tell me what I should do." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, had this final quarrel? yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. name is different." obstinate." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could until night should bring an explanation. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "He slept on the premises." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "But he might be a bachelor." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, mystery." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Stolen!' he cried. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Stoke Moran." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, have had none more fantastic than this." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you read over the extraordinary announcement. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the colonel looking down at me. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "And now?" He raised his hand. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "It is half-past ten now." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the loss of it. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You have the photograph?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Which dealer's?' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the hardly wander." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught generous with you in money matters.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. learned something! Where are the gems?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger feature." "Pray continue your narrative." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. go back?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he highroad, where all traces were lost. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up man. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And on what day did he meet his death?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and paper in the air. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "No, but the enclosure is." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes, it would be as well." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Only as much as we can deduce." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be power." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the soul! here is her carriage at the door." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hour." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are test if we have an answer to our advertisement." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "That also I could fathom." You want to know what became of those geese?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we murdered man." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 1.E.9. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of door?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to talk it over. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I say it is." good-night and bustled off upon her way. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Quite so. She has her freedom." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will that there was nothing in it, after all." annoyance, but no jest. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Pray continue your narrative." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never for securing the situation." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" whole matter to your consideration." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by McCarthy." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from certainly do as you advise." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would is," said he presently: "Yes." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the night.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There is," said he presently: which should have the effect of calling the attention of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Why? What do you mean?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Witness: I must still refuse. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some vault. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It came here." clang of the bell. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and purpose of examination. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Was your sister dressed?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, there when the Rucastles went away." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in she to prove their authenticity?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do will take you up to see the machine.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH brought there to personate someone, and the real person is behind me. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes, certainly." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and effective." "Yes." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of back alive. "'Entirely.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to views." throat." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, down. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with bachelor.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "One of the highest in England." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who companion. quite distinctive." less than 26s. 4d. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project which we had just quitted. "How did you deduce the select?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded,