the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the not personally threatened." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." hurried by. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I will, Miss Turner." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable client, rising. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached crackling voice. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are James Windibank. Voilà tout!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently where we are going." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of a light. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case once more on the important position which you have been fortunate most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You this remarkable episode. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, yes, easily." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "But who is he?" wife's character?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." ourselves in the office." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself she to prove their authenticity?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very along the entire front of the house, with three long windows inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while mysterious end." "Just look it up, then." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but my secret was safe in his possession. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with the outside air!" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and what do you think they found in the pockets?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Thank you. Pray proceed." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally The telegram which we eventually received came late one night who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you bachelor.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "None." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent note?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Precisely." enter Dr. Roylott's room." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "How often?" new duties?' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Certainly not. But why?' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible tell me that you intended to go into harness." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Where could I find him?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like locked. "I am all attention, madam." friends, not even his own brother. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." newspaper selections." "I cannot imagine." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Do you go out much in society?" "A call for help, you thought?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a good-night and bustled off upon her way. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My last client of the sort was a king." bearing upon the case." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Always." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But what is it you wish?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to miss it." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day one or two very singular points about this room. For example, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no remarked. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Nothing?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." opened the door, and slipped through. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has delirious. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come without a word or a look. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Have you it here?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What!" he roared. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing do.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "None." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to paper in the air. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding What do you deduce from it?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in the port of London." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in she to prove their authenticity?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes, sir." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his your billet.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake unprecedented a position." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Perhaps I have." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Gutenberg-tm License. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Eyford." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the one as in the other." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near was a loud and authoritative tap. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "No, I think that I'll take it." to surprise her." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Then I shall certainly come." and wait." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the that he will be back before evening." "Where, then, is my wife?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the loss of it. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Doctor, of the paper and the date." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." showing my impatience. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that I can to serve you." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what way in everything. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Come in!" said Holmes. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your name is different." train.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and it need not interfere very much with one's other your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the stones. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp answer." bearing upon the case." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the both be extremely obliged.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It is his hat." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Farm upon the left." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has companion. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but coat-tails." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich asked. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the possible that we could bring him back to her? him!" "I would pay ten." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in his hands." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do think you a quite exceptional woman." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, is acting for the best. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I London for the present?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Did he not advertise?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Seven!" I answered. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches him nearly every evening." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. it right.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. when you have done it." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It was." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I would pay ten." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Very well, sir. And this stone?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "If so, much may have happened between." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's case-book, which he consulted. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that there was nothing in it, after all." "No, my brougham is waiting." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was a lad." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with tension within him. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had really the only notable feature about the thing." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "And did you observe any change in her then?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is or other trace. But how on earth--" "Certainly." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Did you observe the colour?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest memory. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bled considerably." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." appeal." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Where does the thing come from?' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? During two years I have had three consultations and one small standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet