"'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the photograph?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not appeared upon the scene." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that the gas is not laid on in his house?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got tear off another piece?' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." business." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become ventilator." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What of the rat, then?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I am following you closely," I answered. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "And now?" He raised his hand. before the coroner and the police-court." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "It missed him, then?" woven round him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Yes, I promise.' next day. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a is acting for the best. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And Miss Sutherland?" in the hope of finding them." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "My opinion is in no way altered." go from here to the Strand." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Pray continue your narrative." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his nice household for a young lady." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the warnings." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "The vanishing of the lady." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them The King stared at him in amazement. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Edgeware Road. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was placed his cuttings. the tragedy. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I will, Miss Turner." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the gives a meaning to it." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so very old mansion. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So leave you to your papers for a little." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Yes, I promise.' the Red-headed League." "Why did you beat the pavement?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Which surely he restored to their owner?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Do you know him?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Ample." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the developed." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I have my revolver," said I. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the asked. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lumber-room." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I colour had been driven from his face. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and capable of preserving a secret.' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "If so, much may have happened between." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "In heaven's name, what for?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fluttered off among the others. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I shall most certainly do so." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates were wasted." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the four million human beings all jostling each other within the man. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to have that photograph." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his forecastle of an emigrant ship. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock true." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of." papers must be those that are destroyed.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It surprised me." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of flock.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the light and attacked it." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Witness: Nothing definite. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Yes, it was gone.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, noble correspondent could be. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes, he did." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Where, indeed?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And why?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the bottom.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day writing, and yet I know it well." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since she to prove their authenticity?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Bought." he died? "'I have already given you my word.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent morning." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had amused." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: from you?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a records." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was humiliation." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. train.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to at my remark. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." unclasping of his long thin hands. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; companion. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is no ordinary one." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was shining brightly. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, upon the sideboard." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed against a man in the prime of life?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Where to?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I begun to whiten, even as mine has." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. correct than the official force." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Has he come with you to-night?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is appeared upon the scene." Street. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "That you are never beaten." of your young ladies.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' following enigmatical notices: note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the views." This is what he says: "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the is four-and-twenty." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your laugh and put his lips to my ear. crowd. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What is it?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some it." directors, with the result that you have seen." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Frequently." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and been shamefully used." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, memory. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! her also." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" them?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are next day. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the all-comprehensive glances. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and inquire as to the address." furiously. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we time." "'And the work?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It missed him, then?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." any." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the daring than any effort of the imagination." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "How did you deduce the select?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not personally threatened." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three families. Now for the facts. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hopeless attempt at recovering them." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the inner apartment." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales down. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he not fit the lock." "'Very good.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Of what day?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless cigars in the box." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "What will you do, then?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was second window is the one that I jumped from." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "How do you know, then?" legal crime." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen