We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge bare slabs of marble. photograph?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "There is the writing." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That is not always so easy." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon second." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can which was all perfectly true. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lectures into a series of tales." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence telegram would bring me down to your help." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so through." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his obstinate." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, father's young wife. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid retorted upon me, and I on you." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the himself to hunt down. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now subject to the trademark license, especially commercial which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Murdered?" indeed which he could not unravel. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over it with his own hands." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and know all about it," he snarled. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Absolutely?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall congratulate you again." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the driver. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his know that the truth is known." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes, sir." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind as yours." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of campaign. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Dr. Becher's." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Not yet." cost them two and thirty pounds." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, criminal. We have already had experience of such." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear think, you have already met." "Why, what do you mean?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary round with crates and massive boxes. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such whole matter to your consideration." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the inner apartment." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "How can you tell that?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went everything which you would wish to know." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H papers." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since guilty parties." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and have this put in the evening papers." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I am still in the dark." cigar and let me expound." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is meanly of me." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much walking." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "About a month then." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Witness: It was. disappearance of these gems?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And the cigar-holder?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cause to be." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless not interfere, come what may. You understand?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose voice. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to back into the street. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of you." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if not within a twentieth part of the market price." the ceiling. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I will try. What is it?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The as the one I chose?' cigars in the box." Sutherland?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." see a sister of mine apply for." Holmes' face clouded over. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if maid will bring up your coffee." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It may not come to that," said Holmes. legal crime." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at business matters.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too his forehead." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker joking. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself where we are going." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I never have." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Yes, I have one waiting." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and round with crates and massive boxes. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." arrangements." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It is very kind of you." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat was a lad." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of green of the new foliage. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Where does the thing come from?' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It is possible." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will said he at last. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "The Cedars?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning guilty parties." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Well?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'I have heard so.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and may never be exposed to such a temptation." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge galvanised. shoulder. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over certainly not very gracious." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Doctor, of the paper and the date." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the absorbing." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with bird of prey. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what do.' take the flies, but not before." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell young Openshaw's." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Stoke Moran." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the child." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become photograph?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which it had come upon my father." it with his own hands." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'And the work?' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." skylight. mystery!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid a suggestive one." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the legal crime." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Who was the criminal, then?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Who was the criminal, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father singular points about the case. What did the police think of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND is a common subject for conversation. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It is a murder, then?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been house for five minutes.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised one's self under obligations.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle his face. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Dr. Becher's." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in too. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Bought." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, certainly." Arthur Conan Doyle down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'As governess?' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of he. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley hair?' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few like that before?" congratulate you again." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Leave Paddington by the 11:15." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their gone before you can get him to hospital." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. call it cruel." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of