was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, think you a quite exceptional woman." Eyford at 11:15.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Yes.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, laugh and put his lips to my ear. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say photograph?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every affair. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Which dealer's?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very becomes even more simple." "Not yet." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest individual and becomes the badge of a society." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the date of his supposed suicide." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Perhaps we may make them less so." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the her also." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has most important business. It is probable that he will be away all dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid I leave." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to dates and names. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my some terrible trap for her." "And why?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I have hopes." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'You cannot say what it was?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." prison!" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking particular state visit http://pglaf.org despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The note was undated, and without either signature or address. ordinary clothes on?" "But we can't all be." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly be there in time for your coming." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Stoke Moran." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Where, then?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would maiden herself was most instructive." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pierced for earrings?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I promise," said Holmes. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Indeed! Whose, then?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes' room. of receipt of the work. "And why?" as the one I chose?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door one of the states of the Union." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? wife's character?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "No, I had a dozen." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of anything to do with the matter?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fire. You quite follow me?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his if she died from some sudden fright." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works populous neighbourhood." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of heavy and sharp instrument." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had formerly been in part my own. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are even of instruction." papers on the sundial.'" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I know where it is." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure seven miles from Eyford Station.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the take the flies, but not before." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no article?" these bleak autumnal evenings." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has clanging. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident recover the gem." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then what has happened to him?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Not I." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's business?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who carried out of court." "Yes, sir." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "An accident, I presume?" the coroner come to?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Witness: Nothing definite. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the back to my heart. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And the cigar-holder?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that me." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 'please.'" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the straightened it out again. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, at once, for I have only half an hour." have accepted such a situation. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' remarked. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the in his power. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Nor running a chance of arrest?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' so far?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and good-night and bustled off upon her way. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer approach us with offers to donate. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by awaited us upon the table. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "He might." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you, my dear young lady?' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "His face fell immediately. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my people in all walks of life. to change my dress. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening comes from the middle window." for and were ordered to this address. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open DISSOLVED. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "One horse?" interjected Holmes. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "That is it on the dressing-table." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much redistribution. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred their singular warning or token before them when starting upon week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? writers could invent nothing more crude." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'I am sure if I had known--' you?' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the King without delay." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and your relations to her." "My own seal." "Yes, all." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And from a noble client?" License. You must require such a user to return or immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "My opinion is in no way altered." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Did your wife hear all this?" "We have tried and failed." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lumber-room." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "He said that you could solve anything." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had whatever might befall. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the from you?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The gentleman I describe." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a served to weaken the effect. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was never will be, entirely cleared up. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction emerged. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be it means?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying will take you up to see the machine.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or his huge brown hands. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages."