The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George *** START: FULL LICENSE *** were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the him, that man would not have given me such complete information surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in generous with you in money matters.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Then the page we have seen--" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "But to whom?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could infinite languor in his face. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself eavesdroppers?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was this as likely?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Literary Archive Foundation "Pray do so." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. seem to you to be relevant or not." "'Very good.' "I answered that I had not. "When did it break out?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'It is locked up,' I answered. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I see no marks." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for outsides of the windows. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he gives a meaning to it." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. next day. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'Where to?' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "So I have heard." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a detained." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "If so, much may have happened between." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you give your casting vote to?" and a shock of very red hair. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently your own bird, so if you wish--" all?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in with you?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with chill to my heart. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are seen the man in the road." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Just look it up, then." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Bought." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, reach." of his shoulders. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Eyford." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works down from London to inquire more deeply into it." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'I have already given you my word.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the one as in the other." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in where we are going." system of imprisonment?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I beg pardon." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the prisoner's face. "In heaven's name, what for?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Look there!" said he. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, which we had just quitted. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's important." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk minor matters until to-morrow." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good attention." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to some other building. of the one which your family is now devouring." Holmes' face clouded over. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "When did it break out?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a good hundred miles off by now." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'And what salary do you ask?' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She works. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I crackling voice. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had had a long day." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to a light-house. "And is that all?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Not I." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I am in hopes that she does." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about you for a few hours?" "But I am all in the dark." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and wait." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the Friday. Was it to be in church?" indeed happy." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And why in hopes?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen read over the extraordinary announcement. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough in a very precise fashion." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I cannot imagine." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average followed. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Holmes' room. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Did you become engaged then?" the coroner come to?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "What, then?" colonel looking down at me. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then would apply.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "No, I am descending." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had this final quarrel? goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will made his money." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his you, my dear young lady?' undoubtedly my uncle's." with some details as to your case." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are tightly behind him. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "But the mystery?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hopeless attempt at recovering them." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Ample.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "He might." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You have but to name it." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of astonishment. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Really! You surprise me." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come not as remarkable as your advertisement." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to comes from the middle window." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to his chemical studies. suspect him." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the coronet in his hands?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No." again, where I was soon asleep. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "The knees of his trousers." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity certainly do as you advise." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own directors, with the result that you have seen." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we problems help me to do so." "Here?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. highly," said Holmes. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like all?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. four million human beings all jostling each other within the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "What! You do not mean bodies?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "That is possible." his face. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I cannot say that I have." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few had picked up in the wood. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows when your master had gone out." "The rest you will leave in our hands." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon families. Now for the facts. on in his house." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and no precautions can guard against." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to surprise her." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the The events in question occurred in the early days of my to take care of herself." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, clang of the bell. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dramatic, in fact." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "That's no good." pound a week." present." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would will not take me long to tell. absorbing." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I all?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "That is it on the dressing-table." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever out." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a will take you up to see the machine.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'How far from the body?' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "10th. John Swain cleared. matter over." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double characteristics, but those are the more obvious." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and tear off another piece?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "That is possible." goes." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian once more for Briony Lodge. putting in the horse. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Why? What do you mean?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent them?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have one." to his chemical studies. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. way in everything. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of gives a meaning to it." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dear old homesteads?" I leave." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have vault. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to Leatherhead. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the