"You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "And Miss Sutherland?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes." "No." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and husband's writing, madam." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. go back?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to prison!" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Which are?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your down. business." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, confronted him. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "That was it, sir." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which once more. locked." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely think you a quite exceptional woman." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily south, for the country is more deserted there." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at eat it." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" taking in every detail of the apartment. not, dad?" she asked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are carpenter." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. made him keep the appointment." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and direction." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Who by?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It must be recovered." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his eyes and forehead. late." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know gone before you can get him to hospital." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a have an American origin." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it upon an income of about 60 pounds." round and wave him away like that.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "None." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the so-precious time, but come!' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of lamp. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'I have heard so.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "In San Francisco, a year ago." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the your troubles." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the stones. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman straightened it out again. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'Most admirably.' "The landlord of the Alpha." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, do.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard shall use the carriage to-night." forbidden door. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO to his chemical studies. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Nothing?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the them?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You saw the ventilator, too?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "No. What a strange idea!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Ah!" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Proceed, then." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom written. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. stood on the top of it. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." help us in this matter." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew advice." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I shall be delighted." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman third from London." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he During two years I have had three consultations and one small Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "When did she vanish, then?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "By no means." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Have you it here?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "But how will you look?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Yes, I have one waiting." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What know that the truth is known." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I cheerful." over here." "I will not look." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Nothing?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the allusion to a rat. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off business." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "None." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under arms and began to sob in a high treble key. goes." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it are windows in it, of course?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this remarkable episode. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some was a lad." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped fat-encircled eyes. fuss that is made over them." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you in yours." miles off. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Pool. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes, but only for you and me." "But I have heard all that you have heard." less than 26s. 4d. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit he. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It certainly sounds feasible." Stoke Moran." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that which it had come upon my father." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And on what day did he meet his death?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "And who is her maid?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I cannot imagine." whatever might befall. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat that I can to serve you." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Perhaps we may make them less so." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And Miss Sutherland?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the best of training." "But to whom?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and goes." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." have had none more fantastic than this." "9th. McCauley cleared. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full clanging. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue bird I ate is country bred." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for despaired of." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the Red-headed League." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid crackling voice. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Chief Executive and Director in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not open." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done face and glided from the room. "And how did you verify them?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter and inquire as to the address." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very once more to my work. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and no precautions can guard against." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." not come at once?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." furiously. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of the efforts of the United States government and of the better where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, said he. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the stable lane now." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Nor running a chance of arrest?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the bed, and you in that chair." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon an introduction to him?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It is his hat." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned at a side door. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the unprofitable." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this father's young wife. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his wife's character?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere that the gas is not laid on in his house?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her even so self-evident a thing as that." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I instincts rose up against that laugh. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'I shall certainly be there.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of you understand?" cigar and let me expound." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And why?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the