array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Witness: Nothing definite. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he arrested. You then--" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for chemical work which was so dear to him. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Only as much as we can deduce." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and charged with?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving foot. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ago." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't questionable one." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Why did you pick him?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was a loud and authoritative tap. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It was." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cigars in the box." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase she used." foresight and the moral retrogression?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I see no marks." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Yes, it would be as well." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "No, my brougham is waiting." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "In the cells." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "His face fell immediately. writers could invent nothing more crude." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Pope's Court. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend such person." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her be. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "How did you trace it, then?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Holmes' face clouded over. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fattened it expressly for you.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his manager. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the amused." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment colonel looking down at me. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The decline of his fortunes, then?" of the one which your family is now devouring." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the him!" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a DISSOLVED. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I would apply.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I was mad--insane." will take you up to see the machine.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such jewels which you have stolen?' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of you understand?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "No. What a strange idea!" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the more terrible than the truth. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'As governess?' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It was an hour's good drive." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I think that it is very probable." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our acted in my house last night?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Was he the only applicant?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "And did you observe any change in her then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the so-precious time, but come!' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "That's no good." for securing the situation." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that from the brougham. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some see a sister of mine apply for." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in helping a boy to put up the shutters. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to started for the Temple to see my husband. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, on re-entering her father's house?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. developed." "I guessed as much." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. presume?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and matters immensely." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these became a certainty. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Of what day?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my persecution?" this unhappy family?" them?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" brain must have something in it." "The rest you will leave in our hands." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "What then?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to when you have done it." "What! Had he lost his wife?" bell. Holmes whistled. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither paper in the air. overpowering excitement and concern. late." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was if I call to-morrow?" at my own good fortune. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I am following you closely," I answered. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "So I have heard." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Was she in good spirits?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "What will you say?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Your French gold?" amused." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the very morning of the wedding." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the started for the Temple to see my husband. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is bearing upon the case." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You are hungry," I remarked. thought that she would have been so carried away." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "And who is her maid?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" ourselves in the office." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the one else, I think." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, friends, not even his own brother. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "We must have a cab." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said he. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous more solid." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated really the only notable feature about the thing." said he at last. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble so.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never suddenly upon us." easy-going way." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the investigation." forbidden door. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his salesman. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of it with the greatest attention. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been four million human beings all jostling each other within the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried were unconscious?" "Was there a secret marriage?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see that?' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And Irene Adler?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something derbies." some water from a caraffe. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I amused." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out an introduction to him?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." more solid." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side American. Then who could this American be, and why should he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building The police have openly confessed that they can at present make conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I am sure." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A felt?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "None." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the nothing with him." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "That also I could fathom." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards 11:15.' for securing the situation." "Yes." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. if I call to-morrow?" unprecedented a position." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Witness: I must still refuse. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'As governess?' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Why, what do you mean?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in darkness. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the warnings." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Yes, at the mines." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, within hail.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it companion imperturbably. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." generous with you in money matters.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "No, I think that I'll take it." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "No?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He