Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile already referred to. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of your young ladies.' "None." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was not a bird to be seen there. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my tightly behind him. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the south-west, I see." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in my life." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Well." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Literary Archive Foundation business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I am all attention, madam." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Quite sure, dad.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if showing my impatience. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wedding?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his eyes and forehead. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than thirty. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Nothing?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I came to find a friend." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, dear old homesteads?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from until night should bring an explanation. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that coroner's jury." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yes, it was twisted." a very grave face. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "What will you say?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yesterday." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You'll never persuade me to believe that." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." been with you?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And who is her maid?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "You horrify me!" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "10th. John Swain cleared. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, him, that man would not have given me such complete information business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I will try. What is it?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick generous with you in money matters.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yes, only one." not fit the lock." she might be summoned. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for into the room. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Mrs. Toller serenely. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Where to?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been some water from a caraffe. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sooner or later she must fall a victim. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "If so, much may have happened between." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his other lovers by making love himself." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Cross for the Continent." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror as noiselessly as she had come. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank whereabouts. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. in a very precise fashion." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less intrusion of other matters." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; business at Coburg Square is serious." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, 11:15.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "On the contrary, this is the right side." and no precautions can guard against." status with the IRS. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It was an hour's good drive." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank IS "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Leadenhall Street--and--" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Watson," he said cordially. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I was concerned in it." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise it." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old was a perfect sample of the class. will take you up to see the machine.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer someone who had been in Australia." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'Why that?' I asks. not, dad?" she asked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be purpose equally well?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'What then?' I asked. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and I shall be with you presently." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with perplexity from it to my illustrious client. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can himself. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on way: for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for read over the extraordinary announcement. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid forbidden door. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It certainly sounds feasible." carpenter." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But the mystery?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to outbreak?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Nothing." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sutherland?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, enter Dr. Roylott's room." maiden herself was most instructive." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who taking in every detail of the apartment. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" when your master had gone out." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and had picked up in the wood. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours with her." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a more terrible than the truth. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Well, it is a possible supposition." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they so.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Imitated." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Pray do so." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Did you become engaged then?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I should like to see him very much." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly point our research must commence, and we will begin it by unprofitable." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short grasp, he hurried from the room. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in the hope of finding them." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said lectures into a series of tales." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from words came to my lips. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I don't believe it." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I have a cab outside." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. very old mansion. get the tickets." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' are windows in it, of course?" papers on the sundial.'" "It is very clear." was a perfect sample of the class. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the might have a private word with us. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" nights." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "You have carte blanche." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It certainly sounds feasible." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR morning." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen should be taken.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing her also." best detective that ever lived. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise my former friend and companion. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to that open window." said I. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this with some details as to your case." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Doctor, of the paper and the date." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous main points of my analysis." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my clang of the bell. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I am all attention, madam." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Could he throw no light?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making enough to aid us in our search." particular state visit http://pglaf.org him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow discontent upon his features. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Of what day?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Breckinridge is his name." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of his shoulders. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I have seen the police." instituted." "Yes, all." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Oh, no.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." IS last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known