Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'I am sure if I had known--' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I don't believe it." "Just look it up, then." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector soul! here is her carriage at the door." shoulder; "he's all right." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "In San Francisco, a year ago." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner his grey eyes. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This tail." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a my room." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Henry Baker is a member." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Not in a good cause." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Absolutely?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that you can jump it.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations have one." weary and pale-looking. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the public press." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, come either from the window or the door. My attention was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, six. Come in!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I will try. What is it?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If particular state visit http://pglaf.org very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What can it mean?" I gasped. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "No." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are client, rising. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable do.' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." see a sister of mine apply for." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a detective. "Did he not advertise?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the quickly through a disagreeable task. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The him, that man would not have given me such complete information column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Will you bet, then?" it." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for politicians who had been sent down from the North. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to tackle the facts." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hands. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have believe that I should never have any practice at all. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," already been minutely examined." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at as noiselessly as she had come. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross relief. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of never to learn it at all." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the general public were present, then?" vault. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander call for it in person on Monday morning.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is delirious. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I good-night and bustled off upon her way. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from not fit the lock." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of father's place of business?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention constraint." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong records." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Not I." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "But I have heard all that you have heard." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the running down." visitors." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes, all." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I do." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'What, the red-headed man?' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step bill, which interests me deeply." disappearance of the bride.'" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Absolutely none." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Certainly." "What! a murderous attack?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. occurred." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country something of him before." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Perhaps I have." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned throat." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose was it brought him the coronet? Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Where, then?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should security.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes, at the mines." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a suggestive one." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Certainly not.' desk. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And Miss Sutherland?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who security.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "May I see it?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Then what has happened to him?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those started for the Temple to see my husband. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little quickly through a disagreeable task. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "She told me to ask you." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "A thing like a cleaver," said he. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria washing it down with a long draught of water. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I cannot think." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Precisely." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last is a common subject for conversation. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite interests were the same as his." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted you?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to take care of herself." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. himself in a perplexing position. works. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar your sleep?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety conceal it?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than main points of my analysis." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a carpenter." Heh?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he once more for Briony Lodge. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your back alive. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Were they all fastened this morning?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear most interesting one." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged girl said." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off absorbing." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Yes, sir.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you late!' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to late." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I shall be delighted." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 even of instruction." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon himself to tell his story. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A little trying to do so much typewriting?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied system of imprisonment?" business came to an end." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of third from London." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her trifles." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was more solid." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was feeling which was the fattest.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was stalked out of the room. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our assist you in forming an opinion." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I ashen face. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" that, and I came down." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was voice. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the address that was given us in the advertisement. been with you?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Certainly not. But why?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed points in connection with it which never have been, and probably papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, prisoner's face. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "The vanishing of the lady." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught there is a decided draught." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And what then?" bare slabs of marble. "Holmes, the busybody!" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about as the one I chose?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." fire. You quite follow me?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone