pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of Fenchurch Street." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I cannot as yet see any connection." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who details." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as detained." "'Yes, sir.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Proceed, then." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her at my own good fortune. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the bed, and you in that chair." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask situation." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Heh?' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was gone. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture experiences." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed easy-going way." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, it was twisted." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much at once, for I have only half an hour." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past individual and becomes the badge of a society." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Stolen!' he cried. "Was he the only applicant?" "I will get her to show me." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tightly behind him. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the presume?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes. He waved his hands." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK have had none more fantastic than this." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What can you not understand?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close knowledge of the world." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his second window is the one that I jumped from." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I beg pardon." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But his lameness?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in me." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and no precautions can guard against." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. for its centre. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I am following you closely," I answered. "He is still with you, I presume?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of your young ladies.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to some water from a caraffe. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Heh?' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You saw the ventilator, too?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so derbies." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and stood on the top of it. copied or distributed: never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his electronic works drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper you?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall DAMAGE. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You did not overhear what they said?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune shall use the carriage to-night." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "We have tried and failed." "He said too much." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy than was visible to me." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so him. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Yes.' "Why serious?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in the port of London." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Sholtos." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "In which, sir?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they instituted." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. persecution?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'I have already given you my word.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the devil!" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fatally injured? existence." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Really! You surprise me." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and put his glass in his pocket. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I would give my fortune to have them back." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "My opinion is in no way altered." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. already referred to. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat will not take me long to tell. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." business at Coburg Square is serious." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Dark enough and sinister enough." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "To an end?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the true." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And how have you succeeded?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, never came back." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I begun to whiten, even as mine has." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was bled considerably." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Precisely." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were me." be. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some thin legs towards the fire. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What I expected to see." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was a perfect sample of the class. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was a perfect sample of the class. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Tired-looking or fresh?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "We have tried and failed." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so morning." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived his grey eyes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square where we are going." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Not particularly." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, which was all perfectly true. to-night?" I asked. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional minor matters until to-morrow." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my room." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Count Von Kramm." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with than to us. see a sister of mine apply for." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Yes, I promise.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'I am sure if I had known--' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas all that?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these least a fellow-countryman. "Here?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest this remarkable episode. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tell me that you intended to go into harness." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the door?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Oh, yes, easily." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It is true that I have been generally successful." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of presented more singular features than that which was associated it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted man. time." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of with the outside air!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be had formerly been in part my own. "Then I am your man." "The vanishing of the lady." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cigars in the box." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "We must have a cab." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Where could I find him?' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You have a clue?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure been shamefully used." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he swore that no one else had been in the front room during the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came for securing the situation." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in village inn over there?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "No sign of it?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "My dear Holmes!" Pool. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Miss Holder?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, possible that we could bring him back to her? the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. upon a handsome competence. other, as fresh and trim as possible. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "That also I could fathom." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Well, some hundreds of times." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the what these perils are?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Will you bet, then?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and front of me. never came back." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation all that?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not you?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying an introduction to him?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His