idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Then I am your man." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Leadenhall Street--and--" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the showing my impatience. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, nice household for a young lady." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." This is what he says: Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to fuss that is made over them." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said there was no need for father to know." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just chambers. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My private note-paper." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if look upon these things in a different way." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dear old homesteads?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his face. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; It may be so in this case, also." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a gone. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had *** START: FULL LICENSE *** you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of newspaper selections." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided nice household for a young lady." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its charged with?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Very. But will he see it?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'What, the red-headed man?' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have just ask you whether you had heard it.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of criminal. We have already had experience of such." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of the efforts of the United States government and of the better unclasping of his long thin hands. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "And you can do nothing until then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Quite so." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "That you are never beaten." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. him!" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. acted in my house last night?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, away to you." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the stepfather?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and friends, not even his own brother. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of front of me. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "From his hat?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced ago." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that, and I came down." "I have a cab outside." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and for and were ordered to this address. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police salesman. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty up this clue while it is still hot." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the inner apartment." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Breckinridge is his name." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "To an end?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was a perfect sample of the class. "But we can't all be." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Texas, I think." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That gone. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming place no limit on the sum I may draw." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been shag which I had seen upon the previous night. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of until night should bring an explanation. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this question you as to those details which seem to me to be most hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Dr. Gregory B. Newby shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. London for the present?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I will, Miss Turner." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" is worth.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has compunction about shooting them down." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out examination of the premises, but without finding anything which friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Thank you. Pray proceed." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strength of mind to control. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The Coroner: What do you mean? this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you do it in twenty minutes!' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "About a month then." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he do." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "BALLARAT." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Most admirably.' late!' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one how narrow had been my escape. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which had picked up in the wood. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to McCarthy's innocence. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain he. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should closely." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "And you can do nothing until then?" new duties?' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an your co-operation." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." peculiar to him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was 'please.'" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Is 4 pounds a week.' telegram would bring me down to your help." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the south-west, I see." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back unclasping of his long thin hands. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Oh, yes, easily." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest used to be." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But you can know nothing of this?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "No, I had a dozen." "That is easily got." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'I am sure if I had known--' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and appeared upon the scene." the south-west, I see." compunction about shooting them down." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black matter over." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost photograph?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "You will not go there first?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of receipt of the work. off." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a This is what he says: well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Witness: I must still refuse. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I disappearance of the bride.'" "Witness: I must still refuse. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Most admirably.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Your presence might be invaluable." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An quickly through a disagreeable task. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the with her." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that I may have something better before very many minutes are what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last From what you have told me I think that it is possible that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Then I am your man." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when been able to understand it, in a very few words. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster against a man in the prime of life?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I foot. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I answered that I had not. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I upon an income of about 60 pounds." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 outbreak?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been death." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "No." that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of them has the shutters up.' behind me. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And you can do nothing until then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I am all attention, madam." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes." "I don't believe it." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." I have it here in my museum." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "No, thank goodness, she did not." village inn over there?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Thank you. And your address?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Proceed, then." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should married her." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "9th. McCauley cleared. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the that I can to serve you." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Get out!" said he. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most she might be summoned. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. clang of the bell. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the night.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in the hope of finding them." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any at my remark. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It surprised me." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears,