have got?" against a man in the prime of life?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in she might be summoned. "He said that you could solve anything." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that DAMAGE. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But the mystery?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is half-past ten now." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so returned to France?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Lestrade of Scotland Yard." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "How long did she speak to this Alice?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. everything which you would wish to know." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as you, my dear young lady?' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a bedroom door." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but behind me. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them in this way: "Yes, that is the Crown." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use whole matter to your consideration." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have I gained?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made him nearly every evening." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Do you go out much in society?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "The knees of his trousers." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend presented more singular features than that which was associated bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting ways of our fellow-men." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the Friday. Was it to be in church?" locked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And you don't know his address?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The knees of his trousers." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a were wasted." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "No, distinctly professional." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the friend's singular character. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the iron safe, which he closed upon it. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up do." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Very good.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to delirious. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must carried out of court." charge against him will break down." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ill-usage at the hands of fortune. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat spare." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "The vanishing of the lady." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my way in everything. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was already answered. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You horrify me." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my know what is wrong with it.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "So I have heard." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pictures, libraries, or plate. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I jewels which you have stolen?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or help us in this matter." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it with his own hands." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest some water from a caraffe. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us shall use the carriage to-night." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with was it brought him the coronet? seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "He is still with you, I presume?" down. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What then?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "He disappeared so suddenly." like that before?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "How did that help you?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend rat could hardly pass through." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb affection." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Certainly." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to Leatherhead. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Yes, sir.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and shall use the carriage to-night." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on out." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical wedding?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds generous with you in money matters.' nonsense.' "Never to return." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and off." is," said he presently: me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was this man was intellectual?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wall." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Certainly, madam." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The vanishing of the lady." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the matter?" "It is very clear." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be morning." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Dirty?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have got?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up indeed happy." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, were wasted." and effective." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want house for five minutes.' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the been with you?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones had a long day." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I will, Miss Turner." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." seen the man in the road." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what was used.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed generous with you in money matters.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' relief. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Come in!" said he. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Was she in good spirits?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at page at http://pglaf.org your sleep?' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with some details as to your case." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "VIOLET HUNTER." forecastle of an emigrant ship. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of the way of danger. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an my little problems." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Very good.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to infinite languor in his face. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, good-night and bustled off upon her way. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the empty. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of note-paper. It read in this fashion: caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Why that?' I asks. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that night.' said he. past. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are nothing with him." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! man. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Nothing." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "None. Neville wrote those words." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing row." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and sooner or later she must fall a victim. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It is true that I have been generally successful." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a little more before I quite committed myself. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked congratulate you again." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon the shelf for the interim." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fait accompli?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, colour had been driven from his face. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the inquest, and which are worth considering." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the Red-headed League." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's flock.' "I am all attention, madam."