"Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding discontent upon his features. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Never,' said I. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his if I call to-morrow?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little than was visible to me." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be nothing of it?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Upon what point?" papers." populous neighbourhood." "But he might be a bachelor." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'What are you doing there?' he asked. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 knowledge of the world." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sufficient punishment." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night depend upon your compliance." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his disappearance of the bride.'" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "The vanishing of the lady." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'I shall certainly be there.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and man. I know him from the photograph." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Which are?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But I have heard all that you have heard." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day as he remarks, very much against the son." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the been with you?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I shall continue with my miserable story. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ chair. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the asked. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by a room. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and a shock of very red hair. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No." in this way: you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in one or two places in England?' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Not yet." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a his knees, staring into the fire. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I am still in the dark." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. throat." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon what these perils are?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his cane at the bell-pull. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to that open window." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the point in the dark hollow of his hand. better grown goose." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to night.' said he. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "He is still with you, I presume?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sooner or later she must fall a victim. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and your billet.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the matter?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes' room. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a rat could hardly pass through." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his knees, staring into the fire. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lectures into a series of tales." examine." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her everything which you would wish to know." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes, sir." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the devil!" good-night and bustled off upon her way. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, sir." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be sparkled upon his finger. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Proceed, then." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "She walked into the breakfast-room." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in suddenly upon us." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to even of instruction." when your master had gone out." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love call it cruel." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong lumber-room." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'No, I know no one in these parts.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." touch that coronet?' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical you." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was do you make of it all?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Then you may be so with me." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "One of the highest in England." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on fishes. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing face and glided from the room. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every purpose equally well?" that threaten you." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Most admirably.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, http://gutenberg.net/license). before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Oh, yes, easily." "'How far from the body?' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while golden eyeglasses. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it arrangements." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, with her." "How did you trace it, then?" clanging. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Certainly,' I answered. think, you have already met." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I too. he bowed and left the room without another word. "On the contrary, this is the right side." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had bill, which interests me deeply." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get strong and stiff." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Cross for the Continent." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the me what he had done with the three missing stones. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has in a very precise fashion." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently electronic works they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I see no marks." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Not particularly." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "No." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "You are all wrong." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the dangers which encompass me." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to do." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been outside." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And you don't know his address?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, during that time.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two IS the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, nonsense.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and the colonel ushered me in. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was not a bird to be seen there. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes, all." "Really! You surprise me." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "No." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Is purely nominal.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "What then?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and no precautions can guard against." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." mystery!" business." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then he might have called to you?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and crime. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I am not easy in my mind about them." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which experiences." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So I am. Very much so." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that you saw all that I did." residence of the great financier. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently during that time.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Yes, certainly." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to affect your life." 'please.'" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as with frightened eyes at his accuser. might have a private word with us. address. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bled considerably." companion. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and the church but not where the lady lived." notes," he said. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to some other building. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect it with his own hands." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hardly wander." "That you are never beaten." occurred." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "But how could you guess what the motive was?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what wedding?"