is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on case before our client came into the room." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are quick march!" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and glanced through. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my But Holmes shook his head gravely. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Witness: It was. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of out." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'Yes, I promise.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you acquaintance?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! notes," he said. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just think you a quite exceptional woman." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And how did you find out?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'What do you call purely nominal?' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "How about poison?" villagers almost as much as their master. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put will not take me long to tell. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up do." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And what did you see?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united This is what he says: To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from hard-headed British jury." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a me have 200 pounds?' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Yes." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "What steps will you take?" I asked. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "From his hat?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Dr. Gregory B. Newby noting anything else of interest. "Where to?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Yes, sir.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "No." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "He said too much." "I think that it is very probable." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." against a man in the prime of life?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated trifles." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters my former friend and companion. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through or other trace. But how on earth--" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Pray be precise as to details," said he. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen said Mr. Holder. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old directors have had misgivings upon the subject." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Certainly not. But why?' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said detective. present." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "And Irene Adler?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the salesman. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Yes, certainly." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present just ask you whether you had heard it.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal nights." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow cigars in the box." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had interest. They are important, you understand, without being going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Look there!" said he. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Have you her photograph?" in a friendly supper." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Nothing." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had formerly been in part my own. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and be.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Why that?' I asks. relief. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was manager. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "It is solved." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried deduce something from that?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for green of the new foliage. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "No." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little everything which you would wish to know." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy are, and they are waiting for us." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has stood on the top of it. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And how?" behind me. "Then I am your man." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to Leatherhead. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. But Holmes shook his head gravely. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And for present expenses?" and have this put in the evening papers." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he bowed and left the room without another word. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other minor matters until to-morrow." "It is his hat." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." companion. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a here." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, most interesting one." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had His smile broadened. politicians who had been sent down from the North. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Doctor, of the paper and the date." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she anything to do with the matter?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have an American origin." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'In my own bureau.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London province." Holmes' room. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Dark enough and sinister enough." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am gigantic client. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Never to return." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on went to the Alpha were town bred." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out quite distinctive." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Yes." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I should be immensely obliged to you." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my secret was safe in his possession. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Have you it here?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There it. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And leave your case unfinished?" was already answered. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. me." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. fled together." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have an American origin." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Certainly not. But why?' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Precisely." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know strong reason behind." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had know what is wrong with it.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and looked back. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became front of the hall door has given its name to the place. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Only as much as we can deduce." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "That was it, sir." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' begun to whiten, even as mine has." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "My dear Holmes!" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "That is easily got." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Where could I find him?' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "And you can do nothing until then?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the trying to your nerves." bird I ate is country bred." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You horrify me!" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "But what will you do?" it." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish outside. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bonnet, and went out." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of down. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It surprised me." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought