guilty one." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to lost nothing by them." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. infinite languor in his face. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; floor. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in him." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the feature." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "One of the highest in England." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both me. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his forehead." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'I shall certainly be there.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What can it mean?" I gasped. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the Red-headed League." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. she used." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I depend upon my doing so.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, address. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Munro.' for securing the situation." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the armchair which I pushed forward for him. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two always that they were such commands as a lady might with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Where, then, is my wife?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Murdered?" present." said he. "Why, what do you mean?" presented more singular features than that which was associated "I fear not." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of out of this horrible affair." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be several quiet little villages up there." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if good for you to do.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No." "In which, sir?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I approached. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, certainly." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, lamp. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. is acting for the best. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all girl said." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It came here." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I fear not." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** distance from the station, and there we found the young lady swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for least a most suspicious remark." my friend's incisive reasoning. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate feature." humiliation." behind me. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "No legal papers or certificates?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen undoubtedly my uncle's." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the main points of my analysis." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. undoubtedly my uncle's." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "What do you mean?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "When did it break out?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in upon the shelf for the interim." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it way: 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our was keenly on my guard against him. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the stepfather?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Stoke Moran." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more not, dad?" she asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No sign of it?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with to affect your life." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Doctor, of the paper and the date." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend like that before?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been go back?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about test if we have an answer to our advertisement." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill you." second." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "No, finished." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off It may be so in this case, also." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's it with his own hands." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to-night?' some city in a dream. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I burst out into a roar of laughter. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern have got?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. certainly not very gracious." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, nonsense.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then on re-entering her father's house?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Her father is very rich?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Texas, I think." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, see a sister of mine apply for." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I do.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His all that?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, thank goodness, she did not." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What I expected to see." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of promised to bring home. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Married! When?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the girl said." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set cost them two and thirty pounds." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other house for five minutes.' and looked back. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "He is dead," cried several voices. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the amused." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. McCarthy." thirty. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the intrusion of other matters." place of silver." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the room while you explain this matter?" one of the states of the Union." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone friend's singular character. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my former friend and companion. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, said he. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that here." of Mr. Rucastle's." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from awaited us upon the table. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable chill to my heart. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "There is the writing." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'In my own bureau.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do some place of shelter and let the county police know what has delighted to hear it," he said. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I am sure." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty excitement. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "At the wedding breakfast." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so presented more singular features than that which was associated The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The knees of his trousers." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it get the tickets." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you in yours." "Yes, he did." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin horse could go." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "My dear Holmes!" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The