informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "So it appears." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he tapping his fingers upon the table. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a daring than any effort of the imagination." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and the church but not where the lady lived." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I shall be delighted." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Have you it here?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had quickly through a disagreeable task. "About a month then." or other trace. But how on earth--" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who late!' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and jewels which you have stolen?' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who three of the beryls in it, was missing. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I was concerned in it." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, confronted him. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And Irene Adler?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was handed it to him. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to jewels which you have stolen?' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some business came to an end." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had paper in the air. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. when your master had gone out." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 1.F. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I am all attention, madam." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further future lives." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, pressing in one house as in another. read it out to me." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Nothing." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed forehead. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to affect your life." III. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Do you know him?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to that open window." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband voice. best detective that ever lived. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in forecastle of an emigrant ship. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, gentleman's clothes. happened." fled together." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted your bag." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It looks newer than the other things?" "There are none." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Ample.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Witness: It was. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be power." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Very truly yours, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He is dead," cried several voices. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I to some other building. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of receipt of the work. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "He is still with you, I presume?" should be taken.' "This photograph!" "You will not go there first?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and the colonel ushered me in. have established a very serious case against the son of the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of whatever might befall. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the roots. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You were travelling in the States?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "No, thank goodness, she did not." telegram would bring me down to your help." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were one or two very singular points about this room. For example, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Of what?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of her also." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sooner or later she must fall a victim. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you row." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag careless servant girl?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not answer." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'I am sure if I had known--' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "By train from Waterloo." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "You are hungry," I remarked. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'And the work?' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Pray continue your narrative." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to take care of herself." "You have the photograph?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge what I may call a really hard day's work." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and me upon any point which I do not make clear." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" shall not find me ungrateful." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more tension within him. that I can to serve you." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in were unconscious?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless amused." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. John Swain, of St. Augustine. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of second." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap was not a bird to be seen there. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I took the paper from him and read as follows: the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so go back?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he heavily into it. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the drove away. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to tackle the facts." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And leave your case unfinished?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a gone before you can get him to hospital." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Countess of Morcar's?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in this way: home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Witness: Nothing definite. nothing of it?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I cannot imagine." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very anything to do with the matter?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Of Friday, June 19th." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is forehead. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, all that?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the cigars in the box." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a monotonous occupation." province." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you for a few hours?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Pope's Court. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in clang of the bell. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have established a very serious case against the son of the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well than was visible to me." drove away. colour had been driven from his face. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very or other trace. But how on earth--" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. discontent upon his features. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend coat-tails." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend from the brougham. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "What steps will you take?" I asked. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that, and I came down." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a written, and locked the door of the office after me. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "No, distinctly professional." "Do you go out much in society?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy III. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and than to us. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Stolen!' he cried. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Henry Baker is a member." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "By no means." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, soul! here is her carriage at the door." http://gutenberg.net/license).