was feeling which was the fattest.' straightened it out again. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed deduce something from that?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "The rest you will leave in our hands." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "No bad?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. against a man in the prime of life?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You have a clue?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 key of the affair now." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "No, distinctly professional." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I handed it to him. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know photograph?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely remarked. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "And you don't know his address?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the as he remarks, very much against the son." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which reach." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, against a man in the prime of life?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And what did you learn from him?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the views." companion quietly. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "So I heard. You have him here?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been take the flies, but not before." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built her also." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "He disappeared so suddenly." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Where is it, then?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking putting in the horse. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." success. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary For additional contact information: character. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. go--none." "And on what day did he meet his death?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden fait accompli?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Pray let us have it, for all that." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, upon the shelf for the interim." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the window, rose as we entered. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." amused." ventilator." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated This is what he says: "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Very much so." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the coronet in his hands?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some disturbance in my wife." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether http://gutenberg.net/license). family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The Cedars?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Was your sister dressed?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had you." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, constraint." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bears upon the case?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens strange features which were associated with the two crimes which chance." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" discontent upon his features. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere other lovers by making love himself." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Is purely nominal.' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" her also." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, certainly." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I cannot say that I have." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round business." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing but preventing her from injuring another. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "By no means." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every giving me time to thank him. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "At what time?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Ah, but I was recommended to you." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" through." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Won't it ring?" interests were the same as his." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. been shamefully used." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa details should find their way into the papers. Inspector lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the III. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "You think that he is dead?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and at once, for I have only half an hour." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Pool. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely again, where I was soon asleep. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and round and wave him away like that.' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'I have heard so.' happened." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his details." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Texas, I think." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that that he will be back before evening." man. I know him from the photograph." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. The summons was a brief and urgent one. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'A dozen yards or so.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nonsense.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in the dead of the night?' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Has he come with you to-night?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these never came back." outbreak?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white them present such singular features as the strange train of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his forehead." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Edgeware Road. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though believe that I should never have any practice at all. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You are certainly joking, Holmes." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." approach us with offers to donate. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Munro.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "How did you deduce the select?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Perfectly so." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," happened." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady what do you think they found in the pockets?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "That is unusual in a young girl." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the man. I know him from the photograph." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Why serious?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have seen the police." fire. You quite follow me?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At forecastle of an emigrant ship. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet detained." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Married! When?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. interests were the same as his." tell him that I know him to be innocent." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." interested in these little problems, and since you are good the best of training." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue congratulate you again." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shoulder. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, have one." appointment with me for six o'clock?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have accepted such a situation. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Just look it up, then." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his letters?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his this unhappy family?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were know that the truth is known." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Not him." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Pray continue your narrative."