"We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," indiscretion." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of business came to an end." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must means taking possession of that which another person has a prior once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never matter." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, been deceived." not come at once?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "My last client of the sort was a king." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, on re-entering her father's house?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." McCarthy." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, key of the affair now." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then or other trace. But how on earth--" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you he bowed and left the room without another word. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Where could I find him?' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It is his hat." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a south, for the country is more deserted there." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And now?" He raised his hand. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he whether it answered to the description of any of their husband's writing, madam." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved call the police, let the police find what they can.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the room while you explain this matter?" is a common subject for conversation. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the daring than any effort of the imagination." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes, but only for you and me." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to out of this horrible affair." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Where did he live, then?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, yes, easily." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." fluttered off among the others. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the IS "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to gbnewby@pglaf.org wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did time." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." undoubtedly my uncle's." before the coroner and the police-court." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that morning." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Mrs. Toller serenely. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to talk it over. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Very truly yours, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could go. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I approached. from you?" stepfather?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You saw the ventilator, too?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my secret was safe in his possession. "She walked into the breakfast-room." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And I." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old be.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "And I." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the date of his supposed suicide." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then in this way: who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. think that any burglar could have done. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Eyford at 11:15.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your exactly what you advise." learned something! Where are the gems?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been stood on the top of it. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish me. You must get home instantly and act." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Where did he live, then?" ourselves in the office." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most bare slabs of marble. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the one which it was hard to resist. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a what I may call a really hard day's work." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the look upon these things in a different way." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined there in twenty minutes." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But he might be a bachelor." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the notes," he said. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I cannot as yet see any connection." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and shall probably return to London by the evening train." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "The gentleman I describe." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you very old mansion. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "So I heard. You have him here?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Certainly not. But why?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, from Horsham." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were quickly through a disagreeable task. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. emerged. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a both be extremely obliged.' "That's no good." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "If so, much may have happened between." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that astonishment. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is 11:15.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have like that before?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of direction." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to interest. They are important, you understand, without being there!' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the shall not find me ungrateful." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and arrested. You then--" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Entirely." open." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Will you bet, then?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of tell me that you intended to go into harness." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hands. asked. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Clair, of Lee." and that he would see to anything that turned up. meanly of me." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of way in everything. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "An enemy?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate stepfather?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "An accident, I presume?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is possible." "Always." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of six. Come in!" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are few hundred pounds.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Then, how do you know?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes distinguish the words: wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry is," said he presently: the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the running down." showing my impatience. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here lamp in his hand. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Cross for the Continent." particular state visit http://pglaf.org the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely humiliation." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "He disappeared so suddenly." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I have my revolver," said I. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 1.E.9. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The memory. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was lame." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, past. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was father's place of business?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was used.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself me have 200 pounds?' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between for and were ordered to this address. "They are typewritten," I remarked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the question. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Ha! you find it so?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock must compliment you." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon himself. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford