"Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Here?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not shall use the carriage to-night." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "About a month then." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. confronted him. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And sit in the dark?" shoulder; "he's all right." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have one." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last this as likely?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying during that time.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was used.' "And how did you verify them?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question sofa. This way, please!" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of ceremony." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. foot. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise during that time.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'And what salary do you ask?' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., them, and came down just as you departed. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a generous with you in money matters.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was shining brightly. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush memory. License. You must require such a user to return or lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in this way: which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "One of his hands." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon was a perfect sample of the class. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to there in twenty minutes." gone before you can get him to hospital." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." quickly through a disagreeable task. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Frequently." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Holmes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Stoke Moran." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of power." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in closely." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You have compromised yourself seriously." bill, which interests me deeply." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at envelope. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that business." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over salesman. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that a little more before I quite committed myself. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was morning." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, my friend's incisive reasoning. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably memory. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his knees, staring into the fire. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter way in." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "No, I think that I'll take it." "I say that I have solved it." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and that he would see to anything that turned up. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was not a bird to be seen there. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of it with the greatest attention. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call guilty parties." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes. He waved his hands." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door shall use the carriage to-night." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' to-night?' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the bottom.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "But I am all in the dark." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his you." "No legal papers or certificates?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady never came back." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. weapon." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then beyond words. the side-table." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from just ask you whether you had heard it.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and politicians who had been sent down from the North. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in then?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed behind me. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow see a sister of mine apply for." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a article?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'What are you doing there?' he asked. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' promised to bring home. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat fait accompli?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security that you can jump it.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in little adventures." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." are, and they are waiting for us." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH one of them." the roots. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. upon the shelf for the interim." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Heh?' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ago." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. could go. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door ventilator." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad than to us. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," of a light. his knees, staring into the fire. that?' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the window, rose as we entered. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who said he. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Countess of Morcar's?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are companion. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it What do you deduce from it?" this remarkable episode. "'I have heard so.' discontent upon his features. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Where to?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have together. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to-night?' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. away to you." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we despair." Literary Archive Foundation humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Yes, it would be as well." one's self under obligations.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is father's young wife. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." second window is the one that I jumped from." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is no ordinary one." girl said." from you?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. mystery may be cleared along those lines." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Not in the least." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Witness: Nothing definite. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be shaken than I had ever seen him. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the name is different." particular state visit http://pglaf.org and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as is acting for the best. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Where, then, is my wife?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to his chemical studies. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." relief. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself.