before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as certainly do as you advise." bird I ate is country bred." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the in his hands." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss stepfather?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I leave." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your were wasted." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small was a lad." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Proceed, then." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Street. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have detained." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "That is not always so easy." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some tell them apart.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in was it brought him the coronet? Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Well, it is a possible supposition." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Bought." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here himself to tell his story. "But your client--" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I shall be delighted." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I have come for advice." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to tell." villagers almost as much as their master. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I am armed." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell row." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "What then?" security.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'I am sure if I had known--' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was October 9, 1890. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, all-comprehensive glances. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes, he did." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. meanly of me." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining beyond words. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking house for five minutes.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the roots. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and have this put in the evening papers." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, other lovers by making love himself." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to-morrow." exactly what you advise." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with some details as to your case." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What! Had he lost his wife?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their tied." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Your presence might be invaluable." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously had this final quarrel? once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you looking up at the numbers of the houses." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Then you may be so with me." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little excitement. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural coat-tails." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was your Highness to the police-station?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' telegram would bring me down to your help." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we London for the present?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "How do you know, then?" should be so warm over such a trifle." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The King of Scandinavia." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me might help us?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and effective." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "So I heard. You have him here?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his habit of advancing money.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Certainly not. But why?' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and no precautions can guard against." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the white wrist. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was interests were the same as his." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be matter." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that face and glided from the room. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Here?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my papers." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for see me here to avoid scandal." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, companion. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Proceed, then." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the she to prove their authenticity?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his other lovers by making love himself." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some locked." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I have my revolver," said I. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I have a cab outside." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was used.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to figure." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That tear off another piece?' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be when you have done it." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the bed, and you in that chair." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard appointment with me for six o'clock?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Yes, sir.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "How many? I don't know." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these sake, don't!" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would less than 26s. 4d. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little companion imperturbably. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. village inn over there?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. evidence," I remarked. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You saw the ventilator, too?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, villagers almost as much as their master. meanly of me." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," do.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his lectures into a series of tales." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock served to weaken the effect. "Never to return." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had ran thus: "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "By all means." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a bonnet, and went out." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I will get her to show me." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have not had my rubber." manager. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address burst into a hearty fit of laughter. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "No." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But I am all in the dark." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, these bleak autumnal evenings." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "By all means." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fat-encircled eyes. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "At half-wages, in fact." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He that I may have something better before very many minutes are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to You want to know what became of those geese?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And how did you find out?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and your relations to her." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I know where it is." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I door?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, my brougham is waiting." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal married her." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father tear off another piece?' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll such person." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not so.' the one as in the other." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is