America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the bed, and you in that chair." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and from the brougham. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped late." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was fled together." McCarthy's innocence. weapon." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The doctor?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there was no need for father to know." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had get the tickets." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "That's no good." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Watson," he said cordially. that he will be back before evening." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the child." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and married her." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No legal papers or certificates?" gives a meaning to it." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never wanted for ourselves." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Literary Archive Foundation with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it retorted upon me, and I on you." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and inquire as to the address." had died away into the silence from which it rose. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "But you have hopes?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless village inn over there?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De more terrible than the truth. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that What do you deduce from it?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough where we are going." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she standing smiling on the door-step. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You forget that I know nothing about it." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Nothing?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Very well, sir. And this stone?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as IS this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of you." until night should bring an explanation. outsides of the windows. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that photograph?" Eyford." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." get her out of the way." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'What, the red-headed man?' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from following enigmatical notices: down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That is possible." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told she to prove their authenticity?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, you in your example." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging room. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San gigantic client. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a very grave face. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector emerged. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is in darkness. you." matter." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. in his power. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I nodded again. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly public press." meant." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her yards of it?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "What, then, did Peterson do?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Yes, sir.' "No, my brougham is waiting." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to that open window." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me fishes. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save said I. go--none." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged certainly do as you advise." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I see many objections to any such theory." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I cannot tell." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See furiously. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Sutherland. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like charge against him will break down." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of like gravel from a pit.' "And sit in the dark?" What do you deduce from it?" promised to bring home. said he. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And did you observe any change in her then?" desk. "Then I do not see the point." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people be. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I think that I had better go, Holmes." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I should like to see him very much." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in one or two places in England?' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled You can understand that this register and diary may implicate in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "What shall I do?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between bachelor.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "The gentleman I describe." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Game for a morning drive?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself learned something! Where are the gems?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the mystery." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Count Von Kramm." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But who is he?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have one." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as papers." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so be.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't throat." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" are, and they are waiting for us." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with dead, shall be safe with us." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And what did you learn from him?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. just ask you whether you had heard it.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while ways of our fellow-men." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Was she in good spirits?" woman." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. awaited us upon the table. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young lost nothing by them." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "My photograph." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in his hands." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And what then?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled confronted him. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Nothing?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." remarked. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." prepare for the new role I have to play." My friend smiled. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fear." "How many? I don't know." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is go back?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would maid will bring up your coffee." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the straighten it?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the unprecedented a position." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to-night's adventure." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking gone. "But you have hopes?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which our visitor detailed to us. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out our word." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two pierced for earrings?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your third from London." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'There is a drive, then?' your Highness to the police-station?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to-night's adventure." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Yes, at the mines." have been better. It is all right." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. point in the dark hollow of his hand. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back from the brougham. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. recover the gem." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant