said I. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left fish-monger and a tide-waiter." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Pray do so." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Leadenhall Street--and--" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely residence of the great financier. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you coat-tails." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all be there in time for your coming." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "In the cells." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress digesting their breakfasts at home." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Why? What do you mean?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Pray do so." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." papers on the sundial.'" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey You want to know what became of those geese?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I say it is." "I came to find a friend." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I say it is." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal excitement. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" out of this horrible affair." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." infinite languor in his face. question. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the London for the present?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the detained." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached This is what he says: At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. ordinary clothes on?" bearing upon the case." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one appeal." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. with frightened eyes at his accuser. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had works. See paragraph 1.E below. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you back alive. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, just called myself is not exactly my own." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Yes." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill 'please.'" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have you?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes, only one." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., always that they were such commands as a lady might with I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and have this put in the evening papers." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the go back?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sake, don't!" confronted him. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, you came in." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I constraint." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Again Holmes raved in the air. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you in yours." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but strength in the others." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, system of imprisonment?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable observed. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the photograph?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'There is a drive, then?' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called forbidden door. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "No, I think that I'll take it." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the telegram would bring me down to your help." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which we had just quitted. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Is purely nominal.' have been better. It is all right." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening stood on the top of it. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the station." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Where, then, is my wife?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of III. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "By no means." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, next day. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so politicians who had been sent down from the North. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: prisoner's face. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by reach." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a miles off. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "What have you to say now?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "The knees of his trousers." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away him." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "And Miss Sutherland?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was lame." like that before?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Thank you. Pray proceed." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Where is it, then?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should bonnet, and went out." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be residence of the great financier. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Mary, has deserted me." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed more solid." and the colonel ushered me in. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Here?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Henry Baker is a member." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps guilty parties." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes, only one." "But his lameness?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it with his own hands." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't one which it was hard to resist. "What!" he roared. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. correct than the official force." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham His name is Francis Prosper." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' His name is Francis Prosper." all?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed thin legs towards the fire. "Here?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then but preventing her from injuring another. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "An enemy?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was you want, then?' habit of advancing money.' "VIOLET HUNTER." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the horse could go." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. conduct the inquiry." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That you are never beaten." memory. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my read it out to me." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I beg pardon." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sparkled upon his finger. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could was already answered. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because instituted." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bare slabs of marble. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Was she in good spirits?" legal crime." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I girl said." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a happened." "Perfectly so." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman pity, because in other respects you would really have done very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Nothing." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Holmes' room. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case fashion which was peculiar to him. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" been with you?" Sutherland. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; without a word or a look. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "By all means." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch laugh and put his lips to my ear. Dr. Gregory B. Newby own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London written. such person." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" strength in the others." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never business matters.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to redistribution. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money populous neighbourhood." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "How can you tell that?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, gentleman's clothes. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Precisely." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil invisible to me," I remarked. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in woman." in the hope of finding them." our word." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my here." "Yes, sir." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "In which, sir?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of them has the shutters up.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he enough to aid us in our search." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Most admirably.' points to suicide?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?'