vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to best detective that ever lived. very morning of my second wedding." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "And your mother is alive?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were late!' man. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Do you go out much in society?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come where she found matters as described by the last witness. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. our word." foot. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Certainly not.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Never to return." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Watson," he said cordially. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Perhaps we may make them less so." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yes." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found things are very often connected not with the larger but with the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his father's place of business?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the as yours." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." results." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." any." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the window, rose as we entered. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away them, and came down just as you departed. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Tired-looking or fresh?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "My own seal." "And how did you find out?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the should be taken.' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' just ask you whether you had heard it.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and glanced through. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling mysterious end." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are been shamefully used." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the back alive. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "My own seal." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm awkward doing business with an alias." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I am still in the dark." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "But we can't all be." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. rooms." weapon." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere went to the Alpha were town bred." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of advice." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On is," said he presently: "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and I shall be with you presently." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I should like to see him very much." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. noting anything else of interest. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "My private note-paper." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the interest. They are important, you understand, without being Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his fortune, and I went back to pa. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to-night's adventure." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring situation." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes call you and give you the chance." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The Cedars?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. interest. They are important, you understand, without being but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. compunction about shooting them down." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I standing smiling on the door-step. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room interests were the same as his." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose thin, with a long, sharp nose?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "That is not always so easy." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "He is dead," cried several voices. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his returning from some small jollification and was making his way I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Not yet." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: so.' upon the shelf for the interim." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his future lives." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our excitement. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him you do it in twenty minutes!' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the running down." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to his knees, staring into the fire. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of green of the new foliage. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, a little more before I quite committed myself. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "No good news?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Never." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Certainly." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the evidence," I remarked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that you saw all that I did." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself key turn in the lock." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What have you to say now?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "His face fell immediately. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can death." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "By no means." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I was mad--insane." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "You are all wrong." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the one as in the other." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Entirely.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the amused." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague begun to whiten, even as mine has." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Very truly yours, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." shoulder. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Heh?' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do rose-bushes. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a locked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his knees, staring into the fire. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "About a month then." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the tail." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "It is solved." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I goes." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the developed." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones details should find their way into the papers. Inspector latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But he might be a bachelor." me where it went to?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I more solid." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips This is what he says: "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the trifles." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant papers." "Well, but China?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Witness: I must still refuse. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "One?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which even of instruction." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip friends, not even his own brother. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he then?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of http://www.gutenberg.net are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. photograph?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the do.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'There is a drive, then?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and do.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered true." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. interested in these little problems, and since you are good searched, without anything being found which could incriminate may never be exposed to such a temptation." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your ourselves in the office." "Yes." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' better in every way that they should make their position a little money should be paid at once.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a good hundred miles off by now." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No sign of it?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to But Holmes shook his head gravely. eat it." disappearance of these gems?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'What would be the hours?' I asked. would apply.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and fait accompli?" who was a member of your goose club." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the very old mansion. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to some other building. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which written. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the station." "He said that you could solve anything." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I nodded again. narrative." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "May I see it?" "A call for help, you thought?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'I have heard so.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door."