frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I will not look." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in gone. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you understand?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a unprecedented a position." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Eh? What was that?" to change my dress. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the became a certainty. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the coronet in his hands?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "But I am all in the dark." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "She told me to ask you." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Certainly not.' the King without delay." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, your co-operation." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. details." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "About a month then." "Not in the least." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you to-night?' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must seven miles from Eyford Station.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the he. rat could hardly pass through." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, stepfather?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "To an end?" my room." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable because she had spent so short a time in this country that she daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I do." lumber-room." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that you saw all that I did." "'I have heard so.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "No." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the night.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson see me here to avoid scandal." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until footfalls from the street. "And why?" him nearly every evening." you came in." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with door?" Farm upon the left." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet envelope. is so. I know all about McCarthy." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of them has the shutters up.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my strong and stiff." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "When did she vanish, then?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. was used.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London ways of our fellow-men." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of wall." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Precisely so. But how--" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third done what I asked you, Jones?" "Who was the criminal, then?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of like that before?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the one as in the other." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 From what you have told me I think that it is possible that with you?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the your bag." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, certainly." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "What can you not understand?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing business came to an end." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the a good hundred miles off by now." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to developed." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Then the page we have seen--" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "By no means." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the absorbing." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." stood on the top of it. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." her also." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I cannot say that I have." in a very precise fashion." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Never to return." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And why?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I open." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What can you not understand?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard morning." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "And why in hopes?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "How did you deduce the select?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and second." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to least a fellow-countryman. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "They are typewritten," I remarked. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a chance." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did acquaintance?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away From what you have told me I think that it is possible that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness situation." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Here?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then always that they were such commands as a lady might with way: "I have my revolver," said I. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as this. Pray let me have the details." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Do you go out much in society?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. address. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" again before evening." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few this as likely?" "Yes." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who flock.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort already been minutely examined." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Where to?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very morning of my second wedding." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "He is dead," cried several voices. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project conceal it?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His when you have done it." back to my heart. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is speckled band?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Doctor, of the paper and the date." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "What?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And the murderer?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' than was visible to me." him and tried to hold him back. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in thought that she would have been so carried away." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "The gentleman I describe." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was strode off upon his way. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and inquire as to the address." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had is worth.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "An accident, I presume?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a outside." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sake, don't!" closely." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other electronic works "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction dramatic, in fact." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without to-night?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, weary and pale-looking. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a tied." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the child." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and written. "That was it, sir." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard front of the hall door has given its name to the place. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which eat it." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a as noiselessly as she had come. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he without a word or a look. head. So long, then!" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But his left-handedness." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "My stepfather's business papers." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. during that time.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. bell. Holmes whistled. appeal." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Entirely.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hopeless attempt at recovering them." towards the blaze. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his said he. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "What are they?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should horse could go."