reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "But you were on a friendly footing?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "No, finished." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At for its centre. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. horse could go." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "What can you not understand?" him to go away.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "None." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the British peeress.'" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We address. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. everything which you would wish to know." Arthur Conan Doyle towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "On Monday." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and persecution?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cup of tea. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." enter into my head. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he round and wave him away like that.' light and attacked it." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sentimental considerations in the background which would induce with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," is now desirous of getting those letters back." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, served to weaken the effect. is," said he presently: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suspect him." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Precisely." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of been with you?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and examine." "'Yes, sir.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the south, for the country is more deserted there." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes late!' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced note?" "'Yes, I promise.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a obstinate." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when bill, which interests me deeply." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our lumber-room." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was new duties?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with some details as to your case." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before works. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one promised to bring home. morning." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than DAMAGE. Heh?' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Never." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot newspaper selections." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Yes." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Gutenberg-tm License. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You four million human beings all jostling each other within the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most such attractions and accomplishments?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we nice household for a young lady." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "But of what society?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now me have 200 pounds?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "None. Neville wrote those words." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Is he quiet?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Entirely." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Nothing?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came father's place of business?" "'There is a drive, then?' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would sooner or later she must fall a victim. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the address that was given us in the advertisement. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Ample." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'How far from the body?' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes, sir." chemical work which was so dear to him. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from III. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Serpentine Avenue. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he died? Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. one's self under obligations.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A greater distance to travel." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the your co-operation." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to-night?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction frequently gained my first real insight into the character of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any thirty. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No good news?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "That you are never beaten." chill to my heart. your sleep?' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "My private note-paper." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? despair." "None." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and through." entirely devoid of interest." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this such attractions and accomplishments?' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." one of the states of the Union." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that forebodings. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, seven miles from Eyford Station.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the becomes even more simple." "Did you observe the colour?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Dr. Gregory B. Newby 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'A dozen yards or so.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I have my revolver," said I. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It certainly sounds feasible." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the dead, shall be safe with us." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, very morning of my second wedding." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you IS push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage little trying to do so much typewriting?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Yesterday." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "No legal papers or certificates?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was happened." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so help us in this matter." problems help me to do so." roused himself from his reverie. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. writing, and yet I know it well." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were information in his hands the value of which he did not himself yards of it?' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Where, indeed?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the better in every way that they should make their position a little "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I have a cab outside." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully highroad, where all traces were lost. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Never,' said I. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears said he, "my real name is James Ryder." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" signal between you and your father? "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Was he the only applicant?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in himself. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It surprised me." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. John Swain, of St. Augustine. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the little opening for the ventilator is." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all had picked up in the wood. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "My photograph." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a newspaper selections." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. before the coroner and the police-court." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hand, madam?" "I have my revolver," said I. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." note?"