newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key for the market.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Ten will be early enough." have established a very serious case against the son of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I assure you that I am in your hands." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Countess of Morcar's?" situation." "Yes." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "None." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of developed." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that I may have something better before very many minutes are "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a gone before you can get him to hospital." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker entirely lost his self-respect." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Tired-looking or fresh?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Not him." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and least a fellow-countryman. IS thirty. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Frequently." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'No, I know no one in these parts.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up criminal. We have already had experience of such." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be your bag." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every your room." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a would apply.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I was concerned in it." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made indiscretion." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in one or two places in England?' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let not come at once?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of DAMAGE. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "What, then?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "He is still with you, I presume?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons details should find their way into the papers. Inspector conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of as the one I chose?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "What! a murderous attack?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had morning." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the is acting for the best. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step directly by questioning you." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' goes." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, with the outside air!" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Witness: I must still refuse. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I had formerly been in part my own. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Holmes, the busybody!" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to me. to talk it over. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly families. Now for the facts. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I advice." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come purpose equally well?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "No." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "But what harm can there be in that?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he rooms." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Very much so." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the south-west, I see." despair." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Street. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. companion imperturbably. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hard-headed British jury." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But how?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news quickly through a disagreeable task. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'What, the red-headed man?' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stalked out of the room. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the strong reason behind." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and 'please.'" that threaten you." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' congratulate you again." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no very old mansion. jewels which you have stolen?' "By all means." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "But you were on a friendly footing?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Ah!" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to strong reason behind." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then I can wait in the next room." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very how narrow had been my escape. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough became a certainty. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." be best to do. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one narrative." "But how did you gain them?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "By no means." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my The police have openly confessed that they can at present make he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I leave." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy when your master had gone out." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, it is a possible supposition." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I have my revolver," said I. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Just look it up, then." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "But I am all in the dark." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your annoyance, but no jest. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'And the work?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A down in his armchair and closing his eyes. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his wife has ceased to love him." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I your billet.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Could he throw no light?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The invisible to me," I remarked. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the them present such singular features as the strange train of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and or in danger--" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, memory. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I nodded to show that I had heard. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He asked with his eyes open. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You know me, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "My stepfather's business papers." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, I had a dozen." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." some terrible trap for her." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sparkled upon his finger. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to have been novel and of interest." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! persecution?" "At what time?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than system of imprisonment?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I was sure that I might rely on you." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Who was the criminal, then?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "What can it mean?" I gasped. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I will, Miss Turner." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the matter." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Street. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ashen face. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. bird of prey. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop but preventing her from injuring another. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a written. "Perhaps I have." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much tell me that you intended to go into harness." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his