surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to present." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to miss it." "What can you not understand?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Not social, then?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, trying to your nerves." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that are, and they are waiting for us." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to that open window." just ask you whether you had heard it.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I see many objections to any such theory." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Holmes' room. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' kindly on the shoulder. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "When did she vanish, then?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Pope's Court, Fleet Street." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I have it here in my museum." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Yes, it would be as well." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "My Mary? Impossible!" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Very murderous indeed." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she off." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It goes to the housekeeper's room." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, correct than the official force." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Why? What do you mean?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the correct than the official force." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for whereabouts. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in comes from the middle window." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his outsides of the windows. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I have solved it." reach." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Quite so." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Have you it here?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Pray let us have it, for all that." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must clang of the bell. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" photograph a cabinet?" "'And what salary do you ask?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. against a man in the prime of life?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Witness: I must still refuse. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But you have hopes?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you furiously. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, placed his cuttings. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for this as likely?" invisible to me," I remarked. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "And for present expenses?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes. He waved his hands." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I never will be, entirely cleared up. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It's nothing of the kind." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And sit in the dark?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then, how do you know?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And I say east," said my patient. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "And what then?" third from London." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It three of the beryls in it, was missing. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. figure." "Where did you address your letters, then?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What do you mean?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that you saw all that I did." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thin legs towards the fire. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Breckinridge is his name." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. crowd. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little possible that we could bring him back to her? became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. started for the Temple to see my husband. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which it had come upon my father." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "What, then, did Peterson do?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious formed some opinion?" of his shoulders. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There disturbance in my wife." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." second window is the one that I jumped from." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. acted in my house last night?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "By train from Waterloo." Miss Holder?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The murder was done with it." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a emerged. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford spare." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the driver. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the them, and came down just as you departed. wife's character?" "To an end?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to fact, we may call it conclusive." again on its way. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and showing my impatience. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to surprise her." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Munro.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "That is it on the dressing-table." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And leave your case unfinished?" whether it answered to the description of any of their low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project of his shoulders. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "How can you tell that?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wanted for ourselves." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the her also." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William since then to throw any light upon what became of him." skylight. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Is 4 pounds a week.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And now?" He raised his hand. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the roots. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing yet." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my friend's incisive reasoning. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked head. So long, then!" with her." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Pray do so." "None. Neville wrote those words." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes, I have one waiting." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, derbies." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought new duties?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' amused." "How on earth--" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric one which it was hard to resist. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. at home. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then I do not see the point." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the infinite languor in his face. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to a more successful conclusion." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with gigantic client. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. him!" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in my life." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Not in the least." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from see a sister of mine apply for." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our floor. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'I have already given you my word.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning promised to bring home. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the coroner come to?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander populous neighbourhood." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to a more successful conclusion." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the quite distinctive." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your himself. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid been anything against him. He had for years been known as a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was entirely lost his self-respect." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at that he will be back before evening." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Stolen, then." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I nice household for a young lady." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight highly," said Holmes. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in States. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Yes, it was gone.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and glanced through. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in peculiar to him. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Mrs. Toller serenely. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Always."