of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement gentleman's clothes. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" heavily into it. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the ceiling. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, individual and becomes the badge of a society." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "A call for help, you thought?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Which surely he restored to their owner?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. you." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an hurried by. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'A dozen yards or so.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and habit of advancing money.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "He said too much." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "And what then?" placed his cuttings. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Munro.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother obstinate." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I should wish to." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Were they all fastened this morning?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Yesterday." into the bag, and made for the door. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as the one I chose?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the Red-headed League." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You horrify me." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all himself. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We bled considerably." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to-night?' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ready to-morrow?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt views." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "What then?" thirty. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then, as to money?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Count Von Kramm." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been persecution?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal ashen face. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands will take you up to see the machine.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly into the bag, and made for the door. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the driver. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a rose-bushes. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." it." advice." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the coroner come to?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for relief. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, least a most suspicious remark." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a 'please.'" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Will you bet, then?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." this unhappy family?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But you can know nothing of this?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, legal crime." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to go into your room and bar your shutters?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, just called myself is not exactly my own." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Project Gutenberg-tm works. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'Never.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "An enemy?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "What are they?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a happened." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the thin legs towards the fire. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he congratulate you again." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes, sir." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be any." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few approach us with offers to donate. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "But she could not love him." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time one else, I think." hard-headed British jury." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "That is it on the dressing-table." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the despair." which it had come upon my father." "Thank you. Pray proceed." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the coroner come to?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "In the cells." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Has he come with you to-night?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "You are hungry," I remarked. your troubles." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the little opening for the ventilator is." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned obstinate." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was feeling which was the fattest.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or round and wave him away like that.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who prove to be little relation between the different incidents of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on relation between them, and what the object of his repeated from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "But I have heard all that you have heard." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a system of imprisonment?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that threaten you." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that I may have something better before very many minutes are glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then, how do you know?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Did he not advertise?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted depend upon your compliance." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What can you not understand?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I will try. What is it?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting at a side door. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Not in a good cause." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to knowledge of the world." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Nothing." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send prepare for the new role I have to play." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with the outside air!" he. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly leaning back in his chair. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And what did you see?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: is worth.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Not social, then?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to it right.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to arrive at through this?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to arrive at through this?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, at a side door. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But I am all in the dark." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You horrify me!" his eyes and forehead. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Certainly." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in galvanised. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the King without delay." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "He is still with you, I presume?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the inquest, and which are worth considering." forehead. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by unprecedented a position." more solid." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been is four-and-twenty." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "But she could not love him." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you your most interesting statement." For additional contact information: remarked. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the