late!' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "My stepfather's business papers." "Entirely." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "What! You do not mean bodies?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak present." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch read over the extraordinary announcement. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has telegram would bring me down to your help." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "She walked into the breakfast-room." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Yes?" "I will get her to show me." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the nursery. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Certainly not.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On some terrible trap for her." "'And the work?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at too. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his may have an influence upon European history." "Won't it ring?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter arrested. You then--" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have will he say when he returns?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Cross for the Continent." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the nursery. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his had picked up in the wood. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Your presence might be invaluable." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes, it would be as well." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Yes." careless servant girl?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "But she will refuse." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would works. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Holmes' thin, eager face. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," upon the white wrist. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down when you have done it." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Serpentine Avenue. man. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with tail." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Then the page we have seen--" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before tied." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "No legal papers or certificates?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of receipt of the work. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. a very grave face. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle child?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about been able to understand it, in a very few words. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of just called myself is not exactly my own." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled young Openshaw's." "Stolen, then." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best depend upon my doing so.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social time." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which we had just quitted. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fluttered off among the others. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw door?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were shag which I had seen upon the previous night. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had four million human beings all jostling each other within the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any The King stared at him in amazement. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate have one." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "How about poison?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through London for the present?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My few hundred pounds.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always sooner or later she must fall a victim. depend upon my doing so.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the stones. be best to do. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What is it?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." some terrible trap for her." should be taken.' "How are you getting on?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the pressing in one house as in another. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good indeed happy." "I have a cab outside." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, here." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Why that?' I asks. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You business." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm shag which I had seen upon the previous night. him to go away.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I already referred to. shoulder; "he's all right." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "What of the rat, then?" returned to France?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I nodded to show that I had heard. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "My dear Holmes!" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is be there in time for your coming." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Come in!" said he. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked what I may call a really hard day's work." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "And how in the world did you find them?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter behind me. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ventilator." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran hopeless attempt at recovering them." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It looks newer than the other things?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "In what way?" asked Holmes. lectures into a series of tales." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to tell." absorbing." must compliment you." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "How did you deduce the select?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I came to find a friend." "Well, but China?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "To an end?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had such person." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That was it, sir." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly formed some opinion?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have I gained?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again purpose equally well?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband 'please.'" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I was mad--insane." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, green of the new foliage. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "None." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fat-encircled eyes. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in get her out of the way." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the stones. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the him. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "So I have heard." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I took the paper from him and read as follows: I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Again Holmes raved in the air. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the London for the present?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the inner apartment." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless himself to hunt down. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You horrify me." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always tell them apart.' meanly of me." know that the truth is known." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special have an American origin." and inquire as to the address." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "That you are never beaten." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able made him keep the appointment." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were at a side door. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the little opening for the ventilator is." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in works. See paragraph 1.E below. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Here?" both be extremely obliged.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent sofa. This way, please!" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What shall I do?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not things are very often connected not with the larger but with the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to