governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Do you receive much company?" he asked. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." with the outside air!" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a not fit the lock." he died? "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which carried out of court." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And now?" I asked. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking you in yours." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after too. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. row." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Yes, at the mines." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'In my own bureau.' and have this put in the evening papers." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking during the last few years, and there are many noble families to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost experiences." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys him nearly every evening." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Very truly yours, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That sounds a little paradoxical." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Just look it up, then." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Only as much as we can deduce." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in power." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a other lovers by making love himself." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only observed. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "He is still with you, I presume?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been absorbing." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just third from London." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The vanishing of the lady." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I invisible to me," I remarked. It may be so in this case, also." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cigars in their mouths. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "To an end?" "No." indeed which he could not unravel. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in criminal. We have already had experience of such." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as enter Dr. Roylott's room." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at all that?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'In my own bureau.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Ten will be early enough." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You will not go there first?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was once confined in the cab my mission was practically strong reason behind." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "That is not always so easy." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of note-paper. It read in this fashion: interests were the same as his." ourselves in the office." sparkled upon his finger. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to that open window." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp never will be, entirely cleared up. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in good-night and bustled off upon her way. place no limit on the sum I may draw." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes, I have one waiting." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is six. Come in!" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and no precautions can guard against." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He what do you think they found in the pockets?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "May I see it?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window John Swain, of St. Augustine. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you found me to-night--and running through the front room she About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the child." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to that open window." of receipt of the work. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has more solid." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his wife has ceased to love him." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock a room. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And how did you find out?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, at the mines." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the side-table." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "What will you do, then?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "How often?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to photograph?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: points in connection with it which never have been, and probably fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. into the bag, and made for the door. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I to his chemical studies. foot. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by coat-tails." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Oh, no.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, served to weaken the effect. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility speckled band?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'What are you doing there?' he asked. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check tapping his fingers upon the table. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. carried out of court." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and orange pips. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "A call for help, you thought?" comes from the middle window." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is morning." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I nodded to show that I had heard. you understand?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, should be so warm over such a trifle." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "By no means." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Nothing?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Never." mystery may be cleared along those lines." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And leave your case unfinished?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Leadenhall Street--and--" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her more terrible than the truth. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Where does the thing come from?' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes' thin, eager face. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "At what time?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough best detective that ever lived. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Whose house is it?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." room had already been engaged for us. if she died from some sudden fright." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "He slept on the premises." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I should wish to." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'No, I know no one in these parts.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when morning." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bird of prey. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. This is what he says: upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what note?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Entirely." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done conduct the inquiry." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with conduct the inquiry." the salesman. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I generous with you in money matters.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into if I call to-morrow?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and a shock of very red hair. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Look there!" said he. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next noise which awoke you from your sleep?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Serpentine Avenue. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me