Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his house for five minutes.' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, have I gained?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Certainly, madam." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" place of silver." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thirty. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to have that photograph." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent remarked. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his sufficient punishment." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a suggestive one." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was stammered. plantation.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was charged with?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. III. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for way: the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "A call for help, you thought?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Who by?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of went to the Alpha were town bred." "Her father is very rich?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any disappearance of the bride.'" "I cannot tell." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of second." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Entirely." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the coronet in his hand?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'What then?' I asked. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. that threaten you." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and little trying to do so much typewriting?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying an introduction to him?" annoyance, but no jest. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Gutenberg-tm License. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went been." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you." not personally threatened." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off himself. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I shall communicate with you." was feeling which was the fattest.' voice. woven round him. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We neither fascinating nor artistic." companion. remarked. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it means?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "But to whom?" congenial hunt. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the corner of the building. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of chambers. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the night.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" this unhappy family?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, photograph?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Was your sister dressed?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His not come at once?" "My dear Holmes!" Serpentine Avenue. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. question," said Holmes, smiling. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And leave your case unfinished?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the just called myself is not exactly my own." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, asked. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable me." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir impression behind it as though a window had gently closed earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can prisoner's face. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" as he remarks, very much against the son." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You did not overhear what they said?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I took the paper from him and read as follows: thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at status with the IRS. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was a perfect sample of the class. "I was afraid that you were engaged." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "What, then, did Peterson do?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who some terrible trap for her." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in a friendly supper." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "No." narrative." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I was certainly surprised to find you there." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the think that any burglar could have done. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls knowledge of the world." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "At what time?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out married her." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. were wasted." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which what these perils are?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands been deceived." awaited us upon the table. despaired of." "My private note-paper." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Entirely." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "It is half-past ten now." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the appeared upon the scene." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he been shamefully used." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Then, as to money?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be what I may call a really hard day's work." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, said I. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me point in the dark hollow of his hand. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You know me, then?" spark where all is dark to me." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He read over the extraordinary announcement. in one or two places in England?' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, one which it was hard to resist. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he his knees, staring into the fire. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed knowledge of the world." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter chance at all." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what question. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "No legal papers or certificates?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Did you observe the colour?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than miles off. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best your co-operation." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that carriage. It was a chestnut." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Nothing." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "The rest you will leave in our hands." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they whatever might befall. "Ample." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these get her out of the way." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit was already answered. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you hour?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then orange pips. "His face fell immediately. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. these bleak autumnal evenings." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "This photograph!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I fear not." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, shall use the carriage to-night." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up passage and a tap at the door. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "The murder was done with it." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "But she could not love him." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as arrested. You then--" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "That's no good." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Eh? What was that?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "A client, then?" "I came to find a friend." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I he. really the only notable feature about the thing." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I any." could go. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the been able to understand it, in a very few words. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "The murder was done with it." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he there." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at him!" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, be sorry for having acted so harshly." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "To an English lawyer named Norton." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting have I gained?" nights." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying cost them two and thirty pounds." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Sutherland. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the politicians who had been sent down from the North. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,