that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Dark enough and sinister enough." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, foresight and the moral retrogression?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings six. Come in!" an introduction to him?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "How did that help you?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And how in the world did you find them?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'I have already given you my word.' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down his eyes and forehead. leaning back in his chair. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, he did." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon national property. I was determined that the law should have its Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR with the outside air!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few jewels which you have stolen?' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "It is very clear." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the bed, and you in that chair." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in him." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and no precautions can guard against." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we appeared upon the scene." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to take care of herself." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and nothing with him." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her persecution?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the matter?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and once more for Briony Lodge. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution again." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chambers. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, even of instruction." man. I know him from the photograph." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I answered that I had not. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The Coroner: What do you mean? the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was a lad." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that me. You must get home instantly and act." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my secret was safe in his possession. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at house for five minutes.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to with you?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have an American origin." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his knees, staring into the fire. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Very much so." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, again." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the matter." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible reach." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand tassel actually lying upon the pillow. joking. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and know that the truth is known." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "On Monday." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever narrative." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through my secret was safe in his possession. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to one else, I think." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I was concerned in it." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon main points of my analysis." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, them?" the child." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. carriage. It was a chestnut." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Not yet." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to to you." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic carpenter." "We must have a cab." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on feature." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming hour?' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and like gravel from a pit.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about were unconscious?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You think so, too?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No good news?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the might help us?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I am sure." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with shaken than I had ever seen him. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my special province." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Oh, no.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the had a long day." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to brain must have something in it." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Arthur Conan Doyle and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must it." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "And that is--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it locked. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "An enemy?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no promised to bring home. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the said Mr. Holder. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project key of the affair now." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "By no means." call the police, let the police find what they can.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of out of this horrible affair." "And it is--" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I will do it." crowd. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I article?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to face and glided from the room. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It is solved." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing place of silver." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "No more words. Get out!" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Not him." For additional contact information: that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess out of this horrible affair." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Yesterday." "I was sure that I might rely on you." seven miles from Eyford Station.' this as likely?" the nursery. drove away. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "How are you getting on?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been anything to a woman, for she would have her way." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It goes to the housekeeper's room." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my fat-encircled eyes. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Of what?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the Red-headed League." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed success. manager. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "The vanishing of the lady." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & floor. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." read over the extraordinary announcement. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her forebodings. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND a good hundred miles off by now." sake, don't!" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Foundation "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Nothing." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as occurred." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. upon the shelf for the interim." meant it for the best. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of it with the greatest attention. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become best detective that ever lived. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste learned something! Where are the gems?" how narrow had been my escape. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I was afraid that you were engaged." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" him. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' have been better. It is all right." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," this as likely?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes, it was twisted." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, letters?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very too. noting anything else of interest. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and looked back. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and glanced through. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." door?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Well?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the