electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and no precautions can guard against." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of the vacancies.' this as likely?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning young Openshaw's." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "But it has twice been burgled." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "And what did you see?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I again." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon the shelf for the interim." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be enough to aid us in our search." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Where, then?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a looking up at the numbers of the houses." clanging. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I cannot tell." to a light-house. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that threaten you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case hair?' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. gentleman's clothes. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your this poor creature." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came just called myself is not exactly my own." he died? I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." room had already been engaged for us. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous fact, we may call it conclusive." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and wait." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little quite distinctive." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his until night should bring an explanation. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Stolen." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "What!" he roared. "'Where to?' writers could invent nothing more crude." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might http://www.gutenberg.net be best to do. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital fish-monger and a tide-waiter." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "So I heard. You have him here?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" stepfather?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You have the photograph?" affair. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' chance at all." the best of training." name is different." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "How can you tell that?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but morning." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Yes, certainly." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What are they?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "And now?" He raised his hand. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." my former friend and companion. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ventilator." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Countess of Morcar's?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner daring than any effort of the imagination." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Then I am your man." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this that, and I came down." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "No, I think that I'll take it." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. your room." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of man. and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. deduce something from that?" been shamefully used." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "None." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Not particularly." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days happened." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There is the writing." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms thirty. "And how did he make his money?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of galvanised. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman his face which made him a very different person to the round, it were putty." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her leave you to your papers for a little." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Most admirably.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw all that?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "What steps will you take?" I asked. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client over part of the map. "What do you read?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. lost his Christmas dinner." details." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these becomes even more simple." "But she could not love him." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of retorted upon me, and I on you." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "If I can be of use." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. through." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been my secret was safe in his possession. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "What, then?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Did he not advertise?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of leaning back in his chair. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Then let me do so?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a coat-tails." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "This photograph!" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "That is possible." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What have you to say now?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in said I. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the confronted him. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But what is it you wish?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I think that it is very probable." "I will get her to show me." "'I have already given you my word.' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have was used.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a so.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "And Miss Sutherland?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wedding?" than to us. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Yes." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask your sleep?' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of your young ladies.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" what these perils are?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I nodded again. said I. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when stepfather?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "It came here." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Where, then, is my wife?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my question," said Holmes, smiling. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am armed." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat what is your own theory as to what took place?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "But his lameness?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the be sorry for having acted so harshly." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which until night should bring an explanation. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the back alive. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that gbnewby@pglaf.org it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass ways of our fellow-men." have an American origin." your own bird, so if you wish--" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his gone. returned to France?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but might help us?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "We must have a cab." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Won't it ring?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." desk. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from you came in." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'And the work?' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that