an introduction to him?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "My last client of the sort was a king." present." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Where did he live, then?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Never." said I. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Cross for the Continent." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and head. So long, then!" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "He is dead," cried several voices. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by I approached. taking in every detail of the apartment. photograph?" Pope's Court. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I was afraid that you were engaged." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is business." him nearly every evening." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Where to?' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in his hands." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Yes." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Miss Holder?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would tied." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I was concerned in it." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were memory. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "But his left-handedness." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an asked. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the south-west, I see." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the inner apartment." of the one which your family is now devouring." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up through." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to your only hope of safety." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing other, as fresh and trim as possible. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The narrative." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I warn you that they are very incomplete." case before our client came into the room." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to change my dress. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes, all." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hard-headed British jury." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and that he would see to anything that turned up. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the is worth.' with her." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than been anything against him. He had for years been known as a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Not him." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "How on earth--" was used.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," had formerly been in part my own. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand if I call to-morrow?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I congratulate you again." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Well, but China?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I am following you closely," I answered. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party quite distinctive." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' your equipment. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Did your wife hear all this?" "Not yet." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the inner apartment." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that you." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, bachelor.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Stoke Moran." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "No, I had a dozen." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. copied or distributed: "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is very kind of you." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. friend's singular character. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are made him keep the appointment." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Very good.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from you?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "What office?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the inquest, and which are worth considering." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one directors, with the result that you have seen." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And how have you succeeded?" least a most suspicious remark." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I think it very unlikely." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he me have 200 pounds?' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Certainly,' I answered. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried redistribution. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa behind me. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It was." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, husband's writing, madam." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same *** START: FULL LICENSE *** He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting room. Holmes' face clouded over. shoulder. "What can it mean?" I gasped. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Where to?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that shall use the carriage to-night." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of What do you deduce from it?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "You know me, then?" crime." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. highly," said Holmes. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to go into your room and bar your shutters?" ran thus: authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "That was it, sir." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. http://gutenberg.net/license). wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back ready to-morrow?' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Of what day?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the iron safe, which he closed upon it. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that business?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. legal crime." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the will take you up to see the machine.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "But it has twice been burgled." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid question," said Holmes, smiling. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a your Highness to the police-station?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, used to be." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital strong and stiff." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Now, then, what's the last entry?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so that threaten you." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them what I may call a really hard day's work." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Which surely he restored to their owner?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Certainly, madam." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Here?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you asked. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always one else, I think." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just address. tapping his fingers upon the table. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Very. But will he see it?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "No, I think that I'll take it." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "How long did she speak to this Alice?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at roused himself from his reverie. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I approached. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." from the brougham. Eyford at 11:15.' What do you deduce from it?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The heavy and sharp instrument." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have accepted such a situation. away to you." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his main points of my analysis." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? so far?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be