shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he one's self under obligations.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Texas, I think." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hour?' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." advice." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "No, distinctly professional." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But she could not love him." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I have it here in my museum." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George it means?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the night.' him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the have an American origin." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It is solved." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming never came back." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It came here." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the asked. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the your own bird, so if you wish--" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our copied or distributed: in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, I have one waiting." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who me, and I could not think that his explanation of the unprofitable." obstinate." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his bell. Holmes whistled. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hard-headed British jury." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "What! You do not mean bodies?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the but preventing her from injuring another. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from depend upon your compliance." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Eyford." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I towards the blaze. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I guessed as much." putting in the horse. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Dirty?" "To an end?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." where she found matters as described by the last witness. happened." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." once more for Briony Lodge. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came lamp in his hand. "Why serious?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. made his money." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. has little to do with my story." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom words came to my lips. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton your billet.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending McCarthy." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And your mother is alive?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a when your master had gone out." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as things are very often connected not with the larger but with the guilty parties." highly," said Holmes. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The police have openly confessed that they can at present make The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still used to be." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I this remarkable episode. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by at a side door. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a eavesdroppers?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Then let me do so?' sake, don't!" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of forebodings. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Where, then?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his shaken than I had ever seen him. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf meanly of me." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of fattened it expressly for you.' address. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Ha! you find it so?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the so far?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It came here." "And your mother is alive?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for arrangements." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of it with the greatest attention. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "But what harm can there be in that?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping right! Sit down and let us talk it over." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me touch that coronet?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "The vanishing of the lady." go--none." your bag." bonnet, and went out." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Ha! you find it so?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are some place of shelter and let the county police know what has where we are going." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I don't say that. Perhaps." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but new acquaintance to Baker Street. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." 11:15.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of his shoulders. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you society." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "No?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But you have hopes?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles been deceived." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things if only as a check to my own memory." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long woven round him. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Look there!" said he. your own bird, so if you wish--" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to pound a week." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "What?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp note?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the side-table." "And leave your case unfinished?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in do you make of it all?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the face and glided from the room. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the man. I know him from the photograph." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just friend's singular character. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "No, I think that I'll take it." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. astonishment. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its thin legs towards the fire. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I stepfather?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "She showed me, as I told you she would." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection beg that you will break it off." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in you?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "What!" he roared. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which him." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has call it cruel." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the case-book, which he consulted. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his grey eyes. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and no precautions can guard against." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and States. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now companion imperturbably. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." strength." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I am all attention, madam." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed business?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent For additional contact information: is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Ah, but I was recommended to you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You'll never persuade me to believe that." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as this as likely?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Nearly eleven." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. is four-and-twenty." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow God! What an exposure! What can I do?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." think, you have already met." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. himself. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. dead, shall be safe with us." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I will, Miss Turner." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an certainly not very gracious." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It certainly sounds feasible." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your clang of the bell. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that he has suffered." undoubtedly my uncle's." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing