the night.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this flock.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "No, I am descending." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same that you saw all that I did." "By no means." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Thank you. And your address?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "None." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer along the entire front of the house, with three long windows me where it went to?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The landlord of the Alpha." the inner apartment." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in one which it was hard to resist. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Yes, I promise.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to have that photograph." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the where we are going." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious is," said he presently: "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set late." situation." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which later, upon the night of May 2nd." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "You heard nothing yourself last night?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the devil!" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view name is different." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid too. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment address. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which was all perfectly true. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now emerged. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." have accepted such a situation. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the window, rose as we entered. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the once more to my work. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Leadenhall Street--and--" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. time." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you in your example." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He existence." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But she could not love him." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was brain must have something in it." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them ourselves in the office." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of be.' the Assizes." was used.' suspect him." bears upon the case?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Again Holmes raved in the air. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the discontent upon his features. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' closely." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of your most interesting statement." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." humiliation." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. noting anything else of interest. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black there has been an enclosure here!" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in place no limit on the sum I may draw." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything lost nothing by them." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the gives a meaning to it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw as he folded up the epistle. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old brain must have something in it." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bachelor.' it right.' "She will not sell." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the tightly behind him. "Your French gold?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible anything to do with the matter?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is away to you." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet posted to-day." "You were travelling in the States?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove an introduction to him?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I have come for advice." what I may call a really hard day's work." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But to whom?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It must be recovered." the station." the ceiling. "The knees of his trousers." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of that?' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" jewels which you have stolen?' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to wedding?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It surprised me." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had burst into a hearty fit of laughter. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece roused himself from his reverie. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." over with notes and figures. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was never came back." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "My stepfather's business papers." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to eat it." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from my room." and the church but not where the lady lived." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to Leatherhead. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. your bag." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I morning." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would galvanised. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "What are they?" vanished into the darkness. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from drawing your inferences." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that tell him that I know him to be innocent." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" redistribution. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Perhaps I have." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is States. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And who is her maid?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes." "Do you know him?" your billet.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'And the work?' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Eyford." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it business." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "To an English lawyer named Norton." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And why?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt least a fellow-countryman. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself shadow pass over his face as I spoke. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I am all attention, madam." cost them two and thirty pounds." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and memory. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of strong and stiff." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "No." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held It may be so in this case, also." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that the gas is not laid on in his house?" least a fellow-countryman. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Eyford at 11:15.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against absorbing." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless in darkness. that he has suffered." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his forehead." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows locked. like gravel from a pit.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking direction." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There instincts rose up against that laugh. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the only touch the interest." a suggestive one." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted will not take me long to tell. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "My photograph." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as noiselessly as she had come. chambers. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for your room." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that I am arrested." "'Entirely.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from ordinary clothes on?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable