action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which strong reason behind." "And I say east," said my patient. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what hereditary King of Bohemia." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "In San Francisco, a year ago." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Where is it, then?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Eyford at 11:15.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector she to prove their authenticity?" never will be, entirely cleared up. fait accompli?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their eavesdroppers?' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Have you good authority for what you say?" events, Mr. Windibank!" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I is worth.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cheerful." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was down. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past present." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "My dear Holmes!" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even are, I think, all that we need." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "What of the rat, then?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal knowledge of the world." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Which dealer's?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Precisely." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Eyford." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in him." "But how will you look?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands upon the sideboard." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of the one which your family is now devouring." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO any little problem which you may submit to me." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "That is possible." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of is acting for the best. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "One?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over back alive. hand, madam?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William what is your own theory as to what took place?" I nodded again. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside 'please.'" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, sir." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per really the only notable feature about the thing." over here." "VIOLET HUNTER." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Was your sister dressed?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, been able to understand it, in a very few words. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Edgeware Road. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ourselves in the office." it." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Dirty?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I warn you that they are very incomplete." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were it." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. records." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I have my revolver," said I. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an fashion which was peculiar to him. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Yes, sir.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I shall communicate with you." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could trying to your nerves." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set quickly through a disagreeable task. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect client, rising. shoulder; "he's all right." What do you deduce from it?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the Assizes." so far?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother behind me. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled your bag." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that man. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Never to return." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Not I." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so will take you up to see the machine.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "But she could not love him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." in this note: stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered sooner or later she must fall a victim. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "When did she vanish, then?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' too. have not had my rubber." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby one which it was hard to resist. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true might help us?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. is worth.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are weary and pale-looking. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met some city in a dream. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out with frightened eyes at his accuser. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'How far from the body?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lectures into a series of tales." girl said." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. married her." business matters.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the devil!" British peeress.'" "Then you may entirely rely on me." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as tell him that I know him to be innocent." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "She showed me, as I told you she would." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "That is not always so easy." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their awkward doing business with an alias." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight tell me that you intended to go into harness." did not hear it also.' delirious. gone before you can get him to hospital." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to tell." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Yes.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project thin, with a long, sharp nose?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of already been minutely examined." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am armed." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and no precautions can guard against." congratulate you again." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes, he did." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about bachelor.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and voice, changing her seat as requested. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, fresh and glossy." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" some city in a dream. "Of what?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so front of me. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and looked back. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Nothing." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all My friend smiled. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I shall most certainly do so." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from an introduction to him?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And what did you learn from him?" there." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What is it, then--a fire?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen through." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. hour." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by compunction about shooting them down." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I nodded again. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the call for it in person on Monday morning.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon sneer upon his pale face. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his place of silver." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hand, madam?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and been shamefully used." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "You saw the ventilator, too?" prison!" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was lamp in his hand. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You were travelling in the States?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fire. You quite follow me?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one made him keep the appointment." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock four million human beings all jostling each other within the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large manager. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. look upon these things in a different way." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Stolen!' he cried. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! cost them two and thirty pounds." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest up this clue while it is still hot." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty relief. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and inquire as to the address." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: prison!" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom,