is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was be.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "No more words. Get out!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, questionable one." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a like gravel from a pit.' if she died from some sudden fright." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one grasp, he hurried from the room. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hour?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I should be immensely obliged to you." charged with?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the as he remarks, very much against the son." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little think that any burglar could have done. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then you may entirely rely on me." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the think you a quite exceptional woman." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a think that any burglar could have done. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third possible that we could bring him back to her? to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I shall communicate with you." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it thin, with a long, sharp nose?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Henry Baker is a member." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Literary Archive Foundation the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And when will you call?" guilty one." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but page at http://pglaf.org forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, sir." "It is very clear." the matter?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my arrested. You then--" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Precisely." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so be. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Was she in good spirits?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in my life." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "And how did you find out?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that like gravel from a pit.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll The King stared at him in amazement. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the ceiling. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some married her." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Then how many are there?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Nothing?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a good hundred miles off by now." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case certainly not very gracious." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met success. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Then you may entirely rely on me." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But of what society?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, your sleep?' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to tell." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight with her." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the than to us. This is what he says: the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My stepfather's business papers." to-night?" I asked. my friend's incisive reasoning. "What?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such him!" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. go back?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we During two years I have had three consultations and one small sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "In heaven's name, what for?" putting in the horse. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, get the tickets." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You forget that I know nothing about it." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we unkempt, staring out at me. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the gone. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I do." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I have seen the police." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as his face. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain him." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called neither fascinating nor artistic." questioning and rather startled gaze. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "But she could not love him." help us in this matter." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the best of training." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Not in a good cause." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "None." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies DISSOLVED. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "That sounds a little paradoxical." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it father's place of business?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "The King of Scandinavia." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You are hungry," I remarked. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "At what time?" client, rising. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "He disappeared so suddenly." "On the contrary, this is the right side." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there is a decided draught." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very lamp in his hand. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of campaign. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Gutenberg-tm License. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I have hopes." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for words came to my lips. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "In what way?" asked Holmes. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British you want, then?' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging towards the blaze. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "One?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who seen the man in the road." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the station." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank have one." "But you can know nothing of this?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it right.' dear old homesteads?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several should be taken.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Here?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Ah, but I was recommended to you." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "But the mystery?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of himself to tell his story. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able business came to an end." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own families. Now for the facts. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the Friday. Was it to be in church?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Not particularly." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and man. I know him from the photograph." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, helping a boy to put up the shutters. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "The vanishing of the lady." the loss of it. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "One of the highest in England." "How do you know, then?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." residence of the great financier. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, to some other building. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind forbidden door. was not a bird to be seen there. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here just ask you whether you had heard it.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House be sorry for having acted so harshly." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Won't it ring?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And who is her maid?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Then you may entirely rely on me." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that important." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in floor. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and this as likely?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, I have one waiting." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Breckinridge is his name." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Bought."