magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next about here speaks of his kindness to him." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife unkempt, staring out at me. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in tell me that you intended to go into harness." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and any more." when your master had gone out." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will colonel looking down at me. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "So it appears." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the your sleep?' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Your French gold?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "No, but the enclosure is." to a more successful conclusion." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and the whole place is in a blaze." in the hope of finding them." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The best possible." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But of what society?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then the page we have seen--" "Did you become engaged then?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle there!' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I views." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom status with the IRS. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and the church but not where the lady lived." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It is very clear." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, certainly not very gracious." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time business came to an end." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had experiences." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the one which it was hard to resist. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of campaign. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Was he the only applicant?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." British peeress.'" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "This concluded the examination of the witness." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the suddenly upon us." "When did she vanish, then?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Never,' said I. to-night?' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. ashen face. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as go--none." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, train.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was daring than any effort of the imagination." "Not yet." a room. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King remarked. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here since then to throw any light upon what became of him." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of them has the shutters up.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hurried by. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for served to weaken the effect. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "My dear Holmes!" fattened it expressly for you.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I lost his Christmas dinner." maiden herself was most instructive." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped breakfast." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was keenly on my guard against him. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Certainly,' I answered. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And did you observe any change in her then?" What do you deduce from it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his situation." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger annoyance, but no jest. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" stepfather?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very indiscretion." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their beyond words. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then be sorry for having acted so harshly." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always floor. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "You have a clue?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and the colonel ushered me in. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "The murder was done with it." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And how?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I would pay ten." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "It's nothing of the kind." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the house for five minutes.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A nice household for a young lady." "Then the page we have seen--" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told respectable self." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the situation." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate flock.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few intrusion of other matters." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend electronic works guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my yourselves in at night?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And stepfather?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "None." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" any little problem which you may submit to me." where we are going." rooms." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a him and tried to hold him back. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." you." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and lamp. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in golden eyeglasses. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in against a man in the prime of life?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'There is a drive, then?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this call the police, let the police find what they can.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lectures into a series of tales." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his back into the street. nothing with him." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Yes, from Horsham." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. strength." was feeling which was the fattest.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in murdered man." do.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your humiliation." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion showing my impatience. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK him to be an active member of the medical profession." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this papers." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to tell." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a cigars in the box." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was yards of it?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly touch that coronet?' Pool. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I will try. What is it?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there DAMAGE. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "So I am. Very much so." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'A dozen yards or so.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "His face fell immediately. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Seven!" I answered. you for a few hours?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it right.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" my secret was safe in his possession. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. over here." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." ventilator." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, spare." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "None." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But his lameness?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, investigation." see a sister of mine apply for." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed front of me. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to have that photograph." "'Entirely.' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and a shock of very red hair. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the away into the river." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." him, that man would not have given me such complete information defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out breakfast?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "What will you say?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation her also." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "He disappeared so suddenly." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers minor matters until to-morrow." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over had this final quarrel? had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular American. Then who could this American be, and why should he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I