It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical respectable self." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the which are rolled in Rotterdam." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that I can to serve you." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and inquire as to the address." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only prepare for the new role I have to play." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this should be taken.' "How often?" answered with a sidelong glance. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, should be so warm over such a trifle." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lumber-room." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and definite end. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "On the contrary, this is the right side." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have accepted such a situation. "My private note-paper." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." such attractions and accomplishments?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. be there in time for your coming." long narrative. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "How on earth--" foot. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "My dear Holmes!" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'And the work?' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that you wished to speak to me?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of there!' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. new acquaintance to Baker Street. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Has he come with you to-night?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that completely overtopped every other consideration that we both compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if mystery!" most interesting one." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Quite so." is worth.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and no precautions can guard against." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting night.' said he. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Very much so." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ways of our fellow-men." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor certainly not very gracious." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side galvanised. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be comes from the middle window." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one south, for the country is more deserted there." "Then he might have called to you?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is man. I know him from the photograph." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." putting in the horse. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards round with crates and massive boxes. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which stood on the top of it. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "So I heard. You have him here?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. newspaper selections." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish hair?' "My opinion is in no way altered." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It goes to the housekeeper's room." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and effective." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "It was a confession," I ejaculated. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell feature." Pool. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Project Gutenberg-tm works. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "And you can do nothing until then?" "But who is he?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the lips." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Never to return." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, meant." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "No bad?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the away into the river." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was is," said he presently: "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes." "She told me to ask you." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I am to be neutral?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the yards of it?' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Oh, yes, easily." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And how in the world did you find them?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this young Openshaw's." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the true." during that time.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "We must sit without light. He would see it through the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Yes, the wine-cellar." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was persecution?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle has little to do with my story." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little threw himself down with his face to the pillow. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I have my revolver," said I. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the than to us. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid companion. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Is he quiet?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel chemical work which was so dear to him. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "10th. John Swain cleared. Pope's Court. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to individual and becomes the badge of a society." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Ah!" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It looks newer than the other things?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. late." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the burst out into a roar of laughter. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man man. I know him from the photograph." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Nothing." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the newspaper selections." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Foundation "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I footfalls from the street. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He a room. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, occupations.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I was concerned in it." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Then, how do you know?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the were unconscious?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a if she died from some sudden fright." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the him nearly every evening." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his have been better. It is all right." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that, and I came down." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given call you and give you the chance." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It is possible." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm touch that coronet?' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who strength." room had already been engaged for us. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right business?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a desk. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Oh, yes, easily." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "This concluded the examination of the witness." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a himself to hunt down. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or You can understand that this register and diary may implicate certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Why? What do you mean?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room just called myself is not exactly my own." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And for present expenses?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. other, as fresh and trim as possible. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in the hope of finding them." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I from the brougham. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon anything to a woman, for she would have her way." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the window, rose as we entered. upon an income of about 60 pounds." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I promise," said Holmes. "And the murderer?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "That is easily got." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & During two years I have had three consultations and one small assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I look dissatisfied." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, guilty one." his cane at the bell-pull. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and like gravel from a pit.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible dear old homesteads?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yesterday." was a loud and authoritative tap. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not come at once?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges The summons was a brief and urgent one. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole