Miss Holder?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear orange pips. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's daring than any effort of the imagination." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the more terrible than the truth. 1.F. "Here?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are way in everything. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all brandy and water within his reach. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, said he. Street. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Of what?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been everything which you would wish to know." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Who by?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'A dozen yards or so.' chance at all." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to followed. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. there was no need for father to know." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of my room." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." to talk it over. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' mysterious end." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the side-table." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Not I." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a London for the present?" than was visible to me." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through what is your own theory as to what took place?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Doctor, of the paper and the date." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "And you don't know his address?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Stolen!' he cried. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more appeared upon the scene." back to my heart. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" happened." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and that he would see to anything that turned up. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I lectures into a series of tales." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Again Holmes raved in the air. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to take care of herself." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Ample." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I would give my fortune to have them back." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me strange features which were associated with the two crimes which uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "So I heard. You have him here?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "He said that you could solve anything." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was acted in my house last night?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Farm upon the left." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly at home. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the an introduction to him?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely reach." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" over with notes and figures. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "9th. McCauley cleared. had formerly been in part my own. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face been anything against him. He had for years been known as a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Holmes. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' been shamefully used." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I cannot think." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, stepfather?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man you give your casting vote to?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front beyond words. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Quite so. She has her freedom." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My you." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Then I shall certainly come." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation outbreak?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And how did you find out?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Pray do so." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a towards the blaze. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ordinary clothes on?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another strode off upon his way. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that there was nothing in it, after all." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. six. Come in!" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Yes." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fluttered off among the others. strength in the others." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" business at Coburg Square is serious." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never too. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right spark where all is dark to me." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "And when will you call?" arrangements." "I don't say that. Perhaps." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a his eyes and forehead. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for neither fascinating nor artistic." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But he might be a bachelor." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I would pay ten." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Tired-looking or fresh?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It could not have written that. It is the German who is so Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. forehead. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "A client, then?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'And the work?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Nothing?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Certainly not.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "No, I am descending." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Do you know him?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" friend's singular character. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You will not go there first?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words never will be, entirely cleared up. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Then I can wait in the next room." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "But the mystery?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you started for the Temple to see my husband. depend upon my doing so.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I don't believe it." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred plantation.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at made him keep the appointment." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Does that suggest anything?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." entirely devoid of interest." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." photograph?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Will you bet, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I. quickly through a disagreeable task. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Watson," he said cordially. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" you for a few hours?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew strode off upon his way. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I think that I could be of assistance to you." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they society." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the purpose equally well?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by nonsense.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young unclasping of his long thin hands. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." is acting for the best. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Munro.' dates and names. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning this man was intellectual?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "That is also quite modern," said the lady. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Do you receive much company?" he asked. how narrow had been my escape. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'How far from the body?' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came you do it in twenty minutes!' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive later, upon the night of May 2nd." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line unprofitable." habit of advancing money.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and them?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of you for a few hours?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'You cannot say what it was?' investigation." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. mystery." could not have written that. It is the German who is so the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I undoubtedly my uncle's." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes.