black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. intrusion of other matters." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his eyes and forehead. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bonnet, and went out." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Upon what point?" "Perhaps I have." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a already referred to. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right remarked. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his generous with you in money matters.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you row." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever habit of advancing money.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, this poor creature." who was a member of your goose club." "BALLARAT." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just easy-going way." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable characteristics, but those are the more obvious." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the dangers which encompass me." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. desk. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little there when the Rucastles went away." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all But Holmes shook his head gravely. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And what then?" that you saw all that I did." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to talk it over. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found noting anything else of interest. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by this as likely?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just away to you." http://www.gutenberg.net rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And from the brougham. only touch the interest." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two upon the white wrist. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and put his glass in his pocket. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Doctor, of the paper and the date." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. should be taken.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the were unconscious?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'What then?' I asked. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was a loud and authoritative tap. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either mystery!" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shoulder. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version might help us?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "And how did he make his money?" round with crates and massive boxes. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as observed. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Lee, in the county of Kent." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, not fit the lock." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I will get her to show me." there when the Rucastles went away." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the horse could go." father's young wife. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Not particularly." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of tail." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Dark enough and sinister enough." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel back to my heart. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But the mystery?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, with the outside air!" companion. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he other lovers by making love himself." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Get out!" said he. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those him, that man would not have given me such complete information But Holmes shook his head gravely. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his gbnewby@pglaf.org fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped conversation I have gathered that they have been married about kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her ways including including checks, online payments and credit card she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her might help us?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, with the outside air!" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "My stepfather's business papers." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes, from Horsham." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And Irene Adler?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A back to my heart. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and files of the old papers, following the future career of every unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers night.' said he. you." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that you can jump it.' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well papers must be those that are destroyed.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and looked back. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the few hundred pounds.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "So I am. Very much so." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of wedding?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Now, then, what's the last entry?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, crime. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has gives a meaning to it." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under States. once more. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the salesman. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, good for you to do.' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No, thank goodness, she did not." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Farm upon the left." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to me. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Never." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Where did you address your letters, then?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You know me, then?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of at a side door. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Here?" know all about it," he snarled. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is think, you have already met." speckled band?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No, but the enclosure is." meant it for the best. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that without success. At last the little money which I had saved began practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. been." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Seven!" I answered. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I promise," said Holmes. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." burst out into a roar of laughter. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say only touch the interest." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work lips." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in very morning of my second wedding." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than not as remarkable as your advertisement." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. she used." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few question you as to those details which seem to me to be most had a long day." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but present." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and capable of preserving a secret.' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My stepfather's business papers." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a as noiselessly as she had come. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. had picked up in the wood. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "At what time?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper yourselves in at night?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "What then?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here handed it to him. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was feeling which was the fattest.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It was an hour's good drive." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in your London, you will know that the office of the company is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's very morning of my second wedding." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of his shoulders. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being any." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of mystery may be cleared along those lines." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone as yours." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a suggestive one." present." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent placed his cuttings. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'And the work?' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And why in hopes?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It came here." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yes." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And what did you see?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From