with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking carriage. It was a chestnut." knowledge of the world." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And what did you learn from him?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the date of his supposed suicide." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Then I am your man." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I see many objections to any such theory." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of coroner's jury." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my now. It seems that there had been some informality about their admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "No, my brougham is waiting." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove ways of our fellow-men." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Witness: Nothing definite. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the look upon these things in a different way." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. appeared upon the scene." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the made him keep the appointment." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in digesting their breakfasts at home." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the very morning of the wedding." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have copied or distributed: nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy formed some opinion?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited derbies." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and inquire as to the address." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the matter." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in wedding?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What do you mean?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not be.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen outbreak?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her tapping his fingers upon the table. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you shoulder. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "But his left-handedness." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle call it cruel." client, rising. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" think that any burglar could have done. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "None." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him evidence," I remarked. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham bedroom door." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress upon the sideboard." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "No, thank goodness, she did not." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. events, Mr. Windibank!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I should like to see him very much." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much future lives." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Game for a morning drive?" and glanced through. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "It is his hat." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Was she in good spirits?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the window, rose as we entered. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the she used." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is enough to aid us in our search." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The events in question occurred in the early days of my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I took the paper from him and read as follows: was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Then I am your man." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As was keenly on my guard against him. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that you saw all that I did." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the business in the City. She little knew what. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, there." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and detained." Eyford at 11:15.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my little problems." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in gone. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, make me his representative both with the servants and with the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and have this put in the evening papers." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, your Highness to the police-station?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and been." "Did he not advertise?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a here and I will read it to you: fled together." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no think you a quite exceptional woman." interests were the same as his." nothing with him." least a fellow-countryman. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That sounds a little paradoxical." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very assist you in forming an opinion." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Ample." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass delighted to hear it," he said. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to arrive at through this?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer never to learn it at all." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. done what I asked you, Jones?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large take the flies, but not before." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address locked." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Entirely." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address from you?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came used to be." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at easy-going way." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in away into the river." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Really! You surprise me." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I character. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other article?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, you for a few hours?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I see no marks." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Serpentine Avenue. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his province." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and I shall be with you presently." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as gentleman's clothes. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, there are nearly always some there." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, you?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It is very clear." new acquaintance to Baker Street. business?" entirely lost his self-respect." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Certainly, madam." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Holmes' room. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the bed, and you in that chair." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just upon the white wrist. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "How about poison?" "Not social, then?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are sneer upon his pale face. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Did you observe the colour?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing morning." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It certainly sounds feasible." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'I shall certainly be there.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of I shall continue with my miserable story. "'I shall certainly be there.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man your only hope of safety." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Again Holmes raved in the air. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the