electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with my former friend and companion. present." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Yes, I have one waiting." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to secret." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in pound a week." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'You doubt its value?' he asked. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But she will refuse." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Do you know him?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "But how will you look?" of the one which your family is now devouring." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year may never be exposed to such a temptation." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Lestrade of Scotland Yard." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." kindly on the shoulder. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & wedding?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "When did she vanish, then?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I do." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "My own seal." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem constraint." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such affection." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." throat." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you?' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bonnet, and went out." him." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I like that before?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not intrusion of other matters." I shall communicate with you." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "VIOLET HUNTER." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, speckled band?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Thank you. Pray proceed." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the best of training." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I answered that I had not. "Ah!" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "But what harm can there be in that?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a 'please.'" "Yes." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in a friendly supper." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: writing, and yet I know it well." and it need not interfere very much with one's other from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "An enemy?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Precisely so. But how--" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Ten to two.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Where did you address your letters, then?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had there was no need for father to know." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "None." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. weapon." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it will be renamed. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left little adventures." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, about. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It is a murder, then?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It is possible." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought he bowed and left the room without another word. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but you came in." "Murdered?" "I am all attention, madam." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to about. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to Leatherhead. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. or in danger--" or in danger--" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and capable of preserving a secret.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached even of instruction." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, burst out into a roar of laughter. towards the blaze. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "One of the highest in England." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Not yet." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, letters?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I held the little printed slip to the light. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "On Monday." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. conduct the inquiry." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the so far?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the room while you explain this matter?" the coronet in his hand?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and What do you deduce from it?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it it." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the King without delay." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further used to be." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began detective. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all will be renamed. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham stepfather?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on companion. "No more words. Get out!" "His face fell immediately. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "But she will refuse." chair. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Chief Executive and Director detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that you wished to speak to me?' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's walking." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that you saw all that I did." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black entirely devoid of interest." of campaign. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "And who is her maid?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The murder was done with it." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It's nothing of the kind." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "He disappeared so suddenly." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to careless servant girl?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I say it is." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to arrive at through this?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat discontent upon his features. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared bonnet, and went out." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ashen face. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Can I be of assistance?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination lumber-room." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be locked." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the chance at all." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Frequently." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very official police." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled which are rolled in Rotterdam." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the room while you explain this matter?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the made his money." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a there when the Rucastles went away." his cane at the bell-pull. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "My own seal." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Is he quiet?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the she used." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never you understand?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Certainly not. But why?' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere key turn in the lock." with you alone." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Ten to two.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the