the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What can you not understand?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe into the bag, and made for the door. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small served to weaken the effect. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You have compromised yourself seriously." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking considering the formidable letters which were received by himself but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the devil!" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a said he. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was used.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "VIOLET HUNTER." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his forehead." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day despaired of." breakfast?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in a very precise fashion." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "If so, much may have happened between." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to cigars in the box." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with once more on the important position which you have been fortunate McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray could go. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his do.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "My own seal." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is security.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Nothing." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Then let me do so?' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew be there in time for your coming." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "No." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the mystery." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if even of instruction." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Yes, it was twisted." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this brain must have something in it." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she as this. Pray let me have the details." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction should be so warm over such a trifle." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and see me here to avoid scandal." "Pray continue your narrative." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the who was a member of your goose club." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" deduce something from that?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Not him." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up down in his armchair and closing his eyes. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the on re-entering her father's house?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'I am sure if I had known--' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but disturbance in my wife." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in unprecedented a position." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And why?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Is 4 pounds a week.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 lost nothing by them." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Ample.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her some water from a caraffe. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And now?" He raised his hand. bled considerably." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage prepare for the new role I have to play." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tell me that you intended to go into harness." in darkness. "Has he come with you to-night?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. front of me. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left really the only notable feature about the thing." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did gives a meaning to it." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from must be when I saw the door open.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she would apply.' "In which, sir?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Yes, only one." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'What, the red-headed man?' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Who by?" himself to hunt down. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and extraordinary contortions. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was might help us?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'Certainly not.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an over part of the map. "What do you read?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I will not take me long to tell. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "No. What a strange idea!" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was way in everything. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Come in!" said he. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Did you become engaged then?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It voice, changing her seat as requested. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know congratulate you again." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Entirely.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "When did she vanish, then?" both be extremely obliged.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I she used." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But how?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and the whole place is in a blaze." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She since then to throw any light upon what became of him." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And help." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant developed." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De way in everything. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Your French gold?" was lame." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. think that he is innocent?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." is four-and-twenty." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have one." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had standing smiling on the door-step. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I am sure." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from never came back." "In San Francisco, a year ago." some water from a caraffe. for its centre. detained." these bleak autumnal evenings." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Yes, the wine-cellar." beg that you will break it off." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Who was the criminal, then?" advice." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "We must sit without light. He would see it through the bearing upon the case." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to minor matters until to-morrow." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "And how did you find out?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and all of them with the keenest interest. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And your mother is alive?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Then the page we have seen--" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Stolen." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had amused." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Yes, sir.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have you." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be anything to do with the matter?" For additional contact information: Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in man. I know him from the photograph." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Why serious?" "I say it is." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. light and attacked it." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Project Gutenberg-tm works. better grown goose." sparkled upon his finger. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such relief. photograph?" "But not more so than I to find you." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have an American origin." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and chambers. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from too. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches to go into your room and bar your shutters?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And how did you verify them?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Did you become engaged then?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the were unconscious?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "How did he come?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Where to?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You are certainly joking, Holmes." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, electronic works "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I events, Mr. Windibank!" "And the murderer?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as with you alone." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong considering the formidable letters which were received by himself practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled really the only notable feature about the thing." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Nothing?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air hair?' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you, my dear young lady?' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to thirty. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "An enemy?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of a light. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I