jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, where she found matters as described by the last witness. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Eyford at 11:15.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch system of imprisonment?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "None." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are more solid." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What fire. You quite follow me?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "No bad?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Get out!" said he. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and the colonel ushered me in. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is straighten it?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "We have tried and failed." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room During two years I have had three consultations and one small what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Ample." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Certainly." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and laid it on the table. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was clang of the bell. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted to Leatherhead. stammered. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And I." least a most suspicious remark." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing very peculiar words of the dying woman?" should be so warm over such a trifle." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. than to us. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of question. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady our word." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be village inn over there?" "Yes." "Ten will be early enough." of it with the greatest attention. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert any." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was results." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I assure you that I am in your hands." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What then?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, do you make of it all?" carried out of court." to arrive at through this?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" been shamefully used." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the entirely lost his self-respect." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Dr. Gregory B. Newby nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive could not account in any way for the presence of the missing there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Always." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing round and wave him away like that.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in would then never go into court at all." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as you." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' I shall continue with my miserable story. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every beg that you will break it off." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have again before evening." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the do you make of it all?" carpenter." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler key of the affair now." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would woven round him. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have some mystery and the punishment of some crime." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. system of imprisonment?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but next day. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing geese which you supplied to the Alpha." him!" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg shaken than I had ever seen him. hand, madam?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, that is the Crown." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I assure you that I am in your hands." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" plantation.' shall not find me ungrateful." companion quietly. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I up this clue while it is still hot." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I few hundred pounds.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'And the work?' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Entirely." intrusion of other matters." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I will get her to show me." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No legal papers or certificates?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's God! What an exposure! What can I do?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable present." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. murdered man." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. constraint." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I shall be delighted." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and suddenly upon us." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and inquire as to the address." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have DISSOLVED. already referred to. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Not in the least." of your young ladies.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" is worth.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an been with you?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man closing the door. you in yours." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation not interfere, come what may. You understand?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured meant it for the best. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner writer." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that up this clue while it is still hot." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go face and glided from the room. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE swore that no one else had been in the front room during the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "An accident, I presume?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And you don't know his address?" results." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found photograph?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "My dear Holmes!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is hurried away. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. foot. leave you to your papers for a little." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a shoulder; "he's all right." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune strength of mind to control. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over occupations.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at once, for I have only half an hour." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I am following you closely," I answered. "You will not go there first?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what yards of it?' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were shaken than I had ever seen him. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "They are typewritten," I remarked. "What can you not understand?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "What!" he roared. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "But it has twice been burgled." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley straighten it?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. our word." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Two days later this same performance was gone through under out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a what I may call a really hard day's work." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point followed. "Not yet." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my upon the shelf for the interim." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the one's self under obligations.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Then he might have called to you?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they she might be summoned. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a make me his representative both with the servants and with the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I beg pardon." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Nothing." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will country, and eventually married, without anyone having a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a were wasted." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Whose house is it?" yet." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Where did he live, then?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Why that?' I asks. "Stolen, then." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed