room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Not in a good cause." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Did he not advertise?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction that you wished to speak to me?' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What I expected to see." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you any." one which it was hard to resist. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you want, then?' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of them has the shutters up.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the round and wave him away like that.' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from said I. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a over here." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Pray do so." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I was concerned in it." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and been." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I held the little printed slip to the light. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Chief Executive and Director up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Nothing?" know what is wrong with it.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to affect your life." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'I have heard so.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his detained." to his chemical studies. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I do." thirty. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. arrested. You then--" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "When did she vanish, then?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, that is the Crown." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I cannot tell." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the did not hear it also.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham said I. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the outside." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his gbnewby@pglaf.org with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the loss of it. recover the gem." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House crime. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "You did not overhear what they said?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And how?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Then, as to money?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the call it cruel." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Precisely so. But how--" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a instincts rose up against that laugh. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and is four-and-twenty." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, room?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Why, what do you mean?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you For additional contact information: "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is a common subject for conversation. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his could gather together that I was able to avert another public writer." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent 11:15.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Does that suggest anything?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And I say east," said my patient. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "What I expected to see." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set bachelor.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Absolutely none." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. not come at once?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune or other trace. But how on earth--" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. enter into my head. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not off." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "But what will you do?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me photograph?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "And who is her maid?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia From what you have told me I think that it is possible that coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "What! You do not mean bodies?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over you for a few hours?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Perhaps I have." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and morning." my former friend and companion. Henry Baker is a member." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I have my revolver," said I. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." father's young wife. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she bird of prey. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I promise," said Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Absolutely none." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms chance at all." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And how did you find out?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Henry Baker is a member." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There is the writing." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the into the room. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. against a man in the prime of life?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and door?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the stones. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a disappearance of these gems?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and detective. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And that is--" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." that I can to serve you." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding carriage. It was a chestnut." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in entirely devoid of interest." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you status with the IRS. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Oh, yes, easily." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be you in yours." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I promise," said Holmes. "Not social, then?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to tell." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "To an end?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Stoke Moran." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Whose house is it?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "None." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. miles off. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses had picked up in the wood. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. wedding?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to chemical work which was so dear to him. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which forbidden door. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. there was no need for father to know." "How did he come?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "His face fell immediately. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Ample." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You think so, too?" miles off. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the coronet in his hand?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a must be when I saw the door open.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that later, upon the night of May 2nd." conduct the inquiry." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my friend's incisive reasoning. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "That is easily got." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Foundation to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You have the photograph?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, if she died from some sudden fright." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." purpose equally well?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to very morning of my second wedding." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I shall be delighted." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father,