thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a room?" hard-headed British jury." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, certainly not very gracious." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The nonsense.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, seem to you to be relevant or not." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I have seen the police." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that congenial hunt. for its centre. hurried away. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I am about to be married." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "How on earth--" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I would give my fortune to have them back." one else, I think." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her him to be an active member of the medical profession." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple upon the sideboard." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. fluttered off among the others. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which I could not give. He asked for Alice. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "There are none." his grey eyes. get the tickets." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your yet." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. works. See paragraph 1.E below. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled as he remarks, very much against the son." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend tell them apart.' infinite languor in his face. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's my room." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the himself to hunt down. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the 1.E.9. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. anything to do with the matter?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am here." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from dear old homesteads?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the galvanised. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. into the bag, and made for the door. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique chill to my heart. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and brandy and water within his reach. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at nights." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try have established a very serious case against the son of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, had this final quarrel? not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Then I can wait in the next room." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Precisely." about here speaks of his kindness to him." for and were ordered to this address. "No." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small relation between them, and what the object of his repeated see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside bears upon the case?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yes, but only for you and me." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The King of Scandinavia." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while business?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Yes, I promise.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to change my dress. "You are all wrong." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Certainly." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "But how did you gain them?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the definite end. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Your sister is dead, then?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And how have you succeeded?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we that, and I came down." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of Mr. Rucastle's." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the young Openshaw's." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then I can wait in the next room." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable point in the dark hollow of his hand. friend's singular character. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from It was close upon four before the door opened, and a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of narrative." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "What!" he roared. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "My photograph." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very felt?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead happened." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Doctor, of the paper and the date." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It surprised me." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful remarked. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But where Mr. Fordham shows you.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to eat it." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the Assizes." of campaign. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the you do it in twenty minutes!' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Not in a good cause." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that dramatic, in fact." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and cheerful." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to 1.E.9. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and wait." words came to my lips. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "From his hat?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying upon the white wrist. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Imitated." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Has he come with you to-night?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Won't it ring?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "If so, much may have happened between." been with you?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Nothing?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Stoke Moran." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much writer." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "But of what society?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Yes.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the from you?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that already referred to. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice hurried away. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of them has the shutters up.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the Red-headed League." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "That's no good." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sparkled upon his finger. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence chair. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to putting in the horse. his face which made him a very different person to the round, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open where we are going." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Certainly." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and files of the old papers, following the future career of every some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the said I. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Who by?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an hand, madam?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "The knees of his trousers." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the matter." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking dear old homesteads?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort are, I think, all that we need." at my remark. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably best detective that ever lived. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return could gather together that I was able to avert another public sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' newspaper selections." clang of the bell. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause definite end. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you give your casting vote to?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The past. will he say when he returns?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "That also I could fathom." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had conduct the inquiry." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. weary and pale-looking. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman see a sister of mine apply for." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the maiden herself was most instructive." Foundation wedding?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the matter." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "What are they?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. stalked out of the room. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to have been novel and of interest." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." obstinate." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I am to be neutral?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as weighed down with some great anxiety. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is prepare for the new role I have to play."