voice. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled noting anything else of interest. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "None." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was charge against him will break down." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the coronet in his hand?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on away in different directions, and I went off to make my own companion quietly. as he folded up the epistle. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened so far?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "On Monday." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he giving me time to thank him. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon night.' said he. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know joking. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been deceived." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the yourselves in at night?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. him to go away.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "And Irene Adler?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my fear." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length writer." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a monotonous occupation." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Henry Baker is a member." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of your young ladies.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. eavesdroppers?' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of than was visible to me." "In what way?" asked Holmes. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "When did she vanish, then?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the telegram would bring me down to your help." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You were travelling in the States?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I am in hopes that she does." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Where, then?" it right.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in may have an influence upon European history." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face was once confined in the cab my mission was practically vague figure huddled up in the darkness. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black so far?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." danger is over." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran without a word or a look. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "My dear Holmes!" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. shoulder. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, 'please.'" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Ten will be early enough." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." charge against him will break down." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "But who is he?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. new duties?' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the general public were present, then?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to-night's adventure." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Why? What do you mean?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, coroner's jury." I nodded to show that I had heard. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' redistribution. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of there when the Rucastles went away." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any whether it answered to the description of any of their "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, never to learn it at all." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "At the wedding breakfast." strength of mind to control. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to a light-house. hour." prepare for the new role I have to play." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while completely overtopped every other consideration that we both desk. "An enemy?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "His face fell immediately. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do used to be." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I should be immensely obliged to you." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the footfalls from the street. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." crime." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Not in the least." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is very kind of you." You want to know what became of those geese?" felt?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "How are you getting on?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that you saw all that I did." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Yes, I promise.' "He might." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been instituted." you for a few hours?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the meant it for the best. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is interest. They are important, you understand, without being my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at been." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Lee, in the county of Kent." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and said he. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project against a man in the prime of life?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Always." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time once more to my work. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'In my own bureau.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I cannot tell." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. formed some opinion?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you felt the room to be a little close.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement national property. I was determined that the law should have its "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the child." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I was afraid that you were engaged." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "That was it, sir." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 knowledge of the world." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, she might be summoned. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these relief. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no respectable self." Stoke Moran." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than bachelor.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum shoulder. "Only as much as we can deduce." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I am in hopes that she does." breakfast?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that the gas is not laid on in his house?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "You'll never persuade me to believe that." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on quick march!" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the at home. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate pound a week." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the with her." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I answered that I had not. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled me have 200 pounds?' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. before, for it was considerably after midnight. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was already answered. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock it. "That is easily got." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I warn you that they are very incomplete." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe distance from the station, and there we found the young lady all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to arrive at through this?" unprofitable." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand open." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yes, from Horsham." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Countess of Morcar's?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "When did it break out?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the