serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What do you mean?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of again." the salesman. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! neither fascinating nor artistic." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." have had none more fantastic than this." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to nice household for a young lady." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lectures into a series of tales." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was this Miss Turner." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense pressing in one house as in another. at my remark. gives a meaning to it." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fat-encircled eyes. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable heavy and sharp instrument." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. carpenter." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could interests were the same as his." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear daring than any effort of the imagination." skylight. would then never go into court at all." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "There are none." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They tear off another piece?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all passage and a tap at the door. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Ha! you find it so?" some city in a dream. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And Irene Adler?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to works. See paragraph 1.E below. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Never." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which once more. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My private note-paper." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." until night should bring an explanation. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his own family. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave front of me. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Sutherland. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fait accompli?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. companion. observed. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bonnet, and went out." companion. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have accepted such a situation. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you neither fascinating nor artistic." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Where did he live, then?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is very kind of you." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "He said too much." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yesterday." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Certainly not. But why?' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted residence of the great financier. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting This is what he says: surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." was feeling which was the fattest.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "May I see it?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to me. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, one of them." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. might have a private word with us. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "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 "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. this Miss Turner." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you strong and stiff." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'You cannot say what it was?' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Upon what point?" directly by questioning you." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a very grave face. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may discontent upon his features. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Entirely." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." husband's writing, madam." This is what he says: than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Quite so. She has her freedom." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "An accident, I presume?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had generous with you in money matters.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his chance." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was once confined in the cab my mission was practically way in." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' hard-headed British jury." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." or in danger--" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept said he. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, ordinary clothes on?" system of imprisonment?" "Dirty?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "She showed me, as I told you she would." done what I asked you, Jones?" official police." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately use an arc-and-compass breastpin." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and shall probably return to London by the evening train." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Quite so." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given disappearance of these gems?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of the efforts of the United States government and of the better will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you understand?" "He is dead," cried several voices. invisible to me," I remarked. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And it is--" fled together." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the salesman. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly has little to do with my story." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and looked back. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was already answered. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "To an end?" standing smiling on the door-step. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Why that?' I asks. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Stoke Moran." "I promise," said Holmes. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' flock.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." very morning of my second wedding." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and works. See paragraph 1.E below. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe flock.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in a very precise fashion." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I am still in the dark." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in one else, I think." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "It is very clear." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bare slabs of marble. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "By no means." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to take care of herself." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that own family. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No bad?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' imbecility!" he cried. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Seven!" I answered. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the politicians who had been sent down from the North. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Whose house is it?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Yes, from Horsham." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet in the hope of finding them." such person." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her been shamefully used." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which said Mr. Holder. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It came here." of." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and quite distinctive." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British yards of it?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I guessed as much." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "No, but the enclosure is." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, details." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of this gang." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I should wish to." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, open." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." congratulate you again." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It next day. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the south-west, I see." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable became a certainty. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who cost them two and thirty pounds." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," will be renamed. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport