Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg strength." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in the hope of finding them." "And how in the world did you find them?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an chance." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Very good.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You have carte blanche." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down I think that I could be of assistance to you." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our The telegram which we eventually received came late one night unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running will not take me long to tell. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was looking up at the numbers of the houses." me what he had done with the three missing stones. outside." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I have come for advice." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Where, then?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I came to find a friend." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" in the port of London." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in one or two places in England?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said or other trace. But how on earth--" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the his wife has ceased to love him." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Ha! you find it so?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of best detective that ever lived. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. telegram would bring me down to your help." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "And why in hopes?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after woman." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there in twenty minutes." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in His smile broadened. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double as he folded up the epistle. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "By no means." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And is that all?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook trifles." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the have not had my rubber." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an against a man in the prime of life?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "At what time?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Street. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, opportunities to fix the problem. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this poor creature." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. outside. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" village inn over there?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train salesman. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then, how do you know?" upon the white wrist. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "You have compromised yourself seriously." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the so-precious time, but come!' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And on what day did he meet his death?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Thank you. And your address?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he money should be paid at once.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the girl said." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the for and were ordered to this address. "The knees of his trousers." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sufficient punishment." definite end. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the salesman. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." might have a private word with us. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I should be immensely obliged to you." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, pierced for earrings?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed one which it was hard to resist. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It came here." I shall continue with my miserable story. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Ten to two.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his III. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the official police." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of note-paper. It read in this fashion: recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure was lame." out." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and allusion to a rat. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "But the mystery?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of his shoulders. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are asked with his eyes open. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I think that it is very probable." "9th. McCauley cleared. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Certainly." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 11:15.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Chief Executive and Director endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Tell me all about it,' said I. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to depend upon my doing so.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Precisely." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest letters?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord read it out to me." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my when your master had gone out." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Holmes." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, question. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which are rolled in Rotterdam." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" careless servant girl?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes signal between you and your father? "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the that you wished to speak to me?' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. went to the Alpha were town bred." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with digesting their breakfasts at home." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away humiliation." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Come in!" said he. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. The King stared at him in amazement. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "No. His orders were to stay in the house." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding will not take me long to tell. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred footfalls from the street. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I was used.' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but closing the door. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of your billet.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while mystery may be cleared along those lines." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "That also I could fathom." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' what these perils are?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Texas, I think." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I say it is." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Quite so. She has her freedom." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "To the police?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every particular state visit http://pglaf.org inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George you." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and beyond words. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, generous with you in money matters.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me horse could go." certainly do as you advise." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It obstinate." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Of what?" notes," he said. forehead. "By all means." "What can you not understand?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" some city in a dream. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." certainly not very gracious." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your once more for Briony Lodge. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to surprise her." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with annoyance, but no jest. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Why serious?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and morning." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out for and were ordered to this address. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good