"I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' tail." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the stable lane now." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The rest you will leave in our hands." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And the cigar-holder?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Come in!" said he. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hand, madam?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his get her out of the way." quick march!" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I should wish to." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here will find little credit to be gained out of this case." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'About the same.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could evidence," I remarked. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And for present expenses?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." easy-going way." occupations.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the through." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable do.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Of Friday, June 19th." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "To the police?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey front of me. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, deduce something from that?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for get her out of the way." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Yes, I promise.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "My dear Holmes!" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Not in the least." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I lost nothing by them." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it helping a boy to put up the shutters. these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "The doctor?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in the dead of the night?' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I was sure that I might rely on you." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope handed it to him. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I don't believe it." heavy and sharp instrument." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the occurred." the so-precious time, but come!' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I cannot imagine." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "In what way?" asked Holmes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting for the market.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the away to you." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we question. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case good-night and bustled off upon her way. appeared upon the scene." forecastle of an emigrant ship. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage within hail.' "Just look it up, then." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You have a clue?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Quite so." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "What are they?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." have got?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem despair." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the McCarthy's innocence. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and pierced for earrings?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You have the photograph?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yes?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake criminal. We have already had experience of such." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It certainly sounds feasible." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been is worth.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at right! Sit down and let us talk it over." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day in the dead of the night?' orange pips. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, tail." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cheerful." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And how did you find out?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. should be taken.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nights." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, when your master had gone out." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Which dealer's?' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the date of his supposed suicide." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I cannot imagine." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What! a murderous attack?" some water from a caraffe. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." entirely devoid of interest." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing putting in the horse. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of receipt of the work. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have not had my rubber." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right round and wave him away like that.' "Pray do so." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, without a word or a look. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Quite so." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Very murderous indeed." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. too. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and put his glass in his pocket. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the coronet in his hand?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of envelope. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was stalked out of the room. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not, dad?" she asked. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes' room. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that key of the affair now." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes examination of the premises, but without finding anything which black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, colonel looking down at me. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But how will you look?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'A dozen yards or so.' hurried by. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped But Holmes shook his head gravely. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "A client, then?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Holmes' room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Never,' said I. morning." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of one which it was hard to resist. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the King without delay." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me cigars in their mouths. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the detective. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was feeling which was the fattest.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in me where it went to?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep invisible to me," I remarked. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would not, dad?" she asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Murdered?" of his shoulders. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and as this. Pray let me have the details." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge furiously. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet were new raised from a basin. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four some mystery and the punishment of some crime." to change my dress. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and business." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'I shall certainly be there.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Eyford." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the very morning of the wedding." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking could go. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled call for it in person on Monday morning.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No more words. Get out!" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so him to go away.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding