understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to directly by questioning you." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his redistribution. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was a perfect sample of the class. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on o'clock is it?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the matter." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And how have you succeeded?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to-night?" I asked. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is been able to understand it, in a very few words. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." His smile broadened. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and it need not interfere very much with one's other upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to tear off another piece?' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fluttered off among the others. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he round with crates and massive boxes. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Countess of Morcar's?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very go back?" are, and they are waiting for us." The events in question occurred in the early days of my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to Leatherhead. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "And is that all?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "How did you trace it, then?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Who by?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began floor. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I took the paper from him and read as follows: shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." happened." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate were new raised from a basin. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'As governess?' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, lamp. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the coronet at all injured?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" ourselves in the office." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife prepare for the new role I have to play." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant himself. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The note was undated, and without either signature or address. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to this poor creature." was a loud and authoritative tap. chamber." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some McCarthy's innocence. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was be there in time for your coming." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" shoulder; "he's all right." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed It may be so in this case, also." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and desk. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so. She has her freedom." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which 'please.'" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are highly," said Holmes. arrangements." room?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of case-book, which he consulted. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Yes, the wine-cellar." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My ready to-morrow?' "The Cedars?" Chief Executive and Director "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have official police." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Henry Baker is a member." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Chief Executive and Director and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt morning." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Very truly yours, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, congratulate you again." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Where is it, then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "A thing like a cleaver," said he. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hopeless attempt at recovering them." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of the vacancies.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door over his head with a sweet womanly caress. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and the colonel ushered me in. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue man. I know him from the photograph." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots little adventures." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey His name is Francis Prosper." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am bill, which interests me deeply." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose intrusion of other matters." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." from you?" problems help me to do so." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Did you observe the colour?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Game for a morning drive?" open." tail." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the woman." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was goes." "Will you bet, then?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," characteristics, but those are the more obvious." only touch the interest." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to tell." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. you?' we went to search for him, face downward in a little slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But how did you gain them?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten woman." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I cannot imagine." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the very letters. But what is this written above them?' official police." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table as this. Pray let me have the details." did not hear it also.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I think it very unlikely." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You have compromised yourself seriously." "At the wedding breakfast." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 1.F. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes, sir." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a happened." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the voice, changing her seat as requested. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of the one which your family is now devouring." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "He is dead," cried several voices. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and laid it on the table. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hard-headed British jury." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried recall any case within my experience which looked at the first considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in my life." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Nothing?" at my own good fortune. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then the page we have seen--" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I should be immensely obliged to you." business in the City. She little knew what. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "What! You do not mean bodies?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that, and I came down." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and that he would see to anything that turned up. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having may never be exposed to such a temptation." stalked out of the room. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and London for the present?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. spare." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. before, for it was considerably after midnight. look upon these things in a different way." be there in time for your coming." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Was he the only applicant?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we me what he had done with the three missing stones. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin conceal it?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed confronted him. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to have that photograph." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Of Friday, June 19th." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of Fenchurch Street." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try least a fellow-countryman. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making floor. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a discontent upon his features. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that hair?' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And how?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their might help us?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the window, rose as we entered. "I would pay ten." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can whereabouts. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for away into the river." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "And how have you succeeded?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. keep the flames under. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that