Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'I have already given you my word.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the money should be paid at once.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shoulder; "he's all right." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." voice. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton strange features which were associated with the two crimes which behind me. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to talk it over. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Certainly." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "BALLARAT." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I came to find a friend." our word." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the could go. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cup of tea. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good purpose of examination. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one remarked. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to awaited us upon the table. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It is half-past ten now." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United be sorry for having acted so harshly." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Yes, the wine-cellar." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It came here." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm peculiar to him. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties room?" been with you?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's should be taken.' forebodings. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. once more for Briony Lodge. know what is wrong with it.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! tail." night.' said he. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. murdered man." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Pray do so." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and in this way: twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Thank you. And your address?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known flock.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the matter." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Did he not advertise?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." me where it went to?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to that open window." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "It is his hat." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not you do it in twenty minutes!' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes, the wine-cellar." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was keenly on my guard against him. "And you thought he was pulled back?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'I am sure if I had known--' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving him to go away.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in darkness. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a spark where all is dark to me." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The gentleman I describe." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my room." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And is that all?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old down in his armchair and closing his eyes. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The events in question occurred in the early days of my shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Eyford." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Eh? What was that?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is interest. They are important, you understand, without being skylight. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But he might be a bachelor." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. way in." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, I am descending." any more." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would searched, without anything being found which could incriminate this unhappy family?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But how?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a what these perils are?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Foundation "Where to?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Where to?" "I answered that I had not. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then, as to money?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they lumber-room." the roots. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Why did you beat the pavement?" the south-west, I see." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with clang of the bell. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Your sister is dead, then?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were prepare for the new role I have to play." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that over with notes and figures. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I letters?" question. "And on what day did he meet his death?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fear." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a me." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What shall I do?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Yes, only one." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not heavily into it. cigars in their mouths. Does that suggest anything?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are appeal." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are colonel looking down at me. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is worth.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and went to the Alpha were town bred." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Then he might have called to you?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards unkempt, staring out at me. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being 11:15.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as means taking possession of that which another person has a prior not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by swore that no one else had been in the front room during the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence hand, madam?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the away into the river." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the Assizes." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been what do you think they found in the pockets?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell been with you?" "Yes?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The Cedars?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking You want to know what became of those geese?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I stood on the top of it. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, shoulder; "he's all right." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Mary, has deserted me." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will his huge brown hands. official police." "There is the writing." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But morning." 1.E.9. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and hour." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holmes' face clouded over. them?" "By no means." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It looks newer than the other things?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that I may have something better before very many minutes are bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was call for it in person on Monday morning.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should people in all walks of life. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' whatever might befall. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I will get her to show me." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I cannot say that I have." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Tell me all about it,' said I. on re-entering her father's house?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and that he would see to anything that turned up. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally me what he had done with the three missing stones. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already do you make of it all?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible wedding?" union?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 11:15.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I promise," said Holmes. fishes. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The landlord of the Alpha." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You have but to name it." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Never." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Where could I find him?' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding train.' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had