strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the station." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Ten will be early enough." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a telegram would bring me down to your help." "You are all wrong." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sound at heart." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he bell. Holmes whistled. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It is half-past ten now." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable lips." whether it answered to the description of any of their you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which was all perfectly true. ventilator." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in mystery may be cleared along those lines." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises quick march!" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him other, as fresh and trim as possible. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will official police." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "How did you trace it, then?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had conceal it?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ran thus: Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of humiliation." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his eyes and forehead. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not make me his representative both with the servants and with the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Frequently." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Farm upon the left." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He breakfast." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. what I may call a really hard day's work." brandy and water within his reach. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be a suggestive one." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "By no means." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' appointment with me for six o'clock?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an way in everything. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had forbidden door. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike danger is over." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not writing, and yet I know it well." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'I have heard so.' "But it has twice been burgled." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hurried by. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I am to be neutral?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and weighed down with some great anxiety. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'And the work?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last despair." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What then?" heavy and sharp instrument." "She told me to ask you." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "How many? I don't know." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion gigantic client. 1.F. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It was an hour's good drive." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little what is your own theory as to what took place?" legal crime." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." London for the present?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. know what is wrong with it.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his believe that I should never have any practice at all. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But we can't all be." clanging. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pressing in one house as in another. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for may never be exposed to such a temptation." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in him." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the have one." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Street. "What! Had he lost his wife?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. arrested. You then--" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told examine." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You have carte blanche." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Always." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was feeling which was the fattest.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said keep the flames under. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "To ruin me." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cost them two and thirty pounds." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the one as in the other." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Ah!" and it need not interfere very much with one's other the roots. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over British peeress.'" "Very truly yours, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian silent! Oh, he will be silent!' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who lost his Christmas dinner." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My seven miles from Eyford Station.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, late." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." husband's writing, madam." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, at the mines." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes, only one." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had young Openshaw's." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pressing in one house as in another. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I see many objections to any such theory." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a very grave face. not personally threatened." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'I have heard so.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I father's young wife. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Certainly." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "No, thank goodness, she did not." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to tackle the facts." "I have a cab outside." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you came in." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend clang of the bell. copied or distributed: characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself together. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the which we had just quitted. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven through." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the helping a boy to put up the shutters. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence south, for the country is more deserted there." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It's nothing of the kind." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "She walked into the breakfast-room." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Watson," he said cordially. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "That is unusual in a young girl." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I guessed as much." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this more terrible than the truth. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with on re-entering her father's house?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Watson," he said cordially. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Get out!" said he. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Yes, he did." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your enter Dr. Roylott's room." visitors." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the arrangements." might have a private word with us. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And now?" I asked. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down speckled band?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the very morning of the wedding." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, not, dad?" she asked. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Do you know him?" one of the states of the Union." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Ten to two.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Farm upon the left." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to tackle the facts." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Stolen!' he cried. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "In the cells." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the Red-headed League." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If matter." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw for its centre.