was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, matter over." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt it were putty." "That is possible." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. your billet.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no dear old homesteads?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this learned something! Where are the gems?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to arrive at through this?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. him to go away.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's client, rising. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a strong reason behind." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the matter?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hard-headed British jury." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the loss of it. the matter?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and have this put in the evening papers." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just records." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Because he was handy and would come cheap." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not your room." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us over part of the map. "What do you read?" the stones. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the coronet in his hand?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Look there!" said he. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is away to you." "You have compromised yourself seriously." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the chance at all." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is matters immensely." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the be.' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the dangers which encompass me." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "So it appears." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had will take you up to see the machine.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Tired-looking or fresh?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a States. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little danger is over." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "Where did you address your letters, then?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in bled considerably." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was goes." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Where is it, then?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such desk. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact experiences." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "How can you tell that?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what this remarkable episode. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after you in yours." my special province." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And why?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And Miss Sutherland?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who brought there to personate someone, and the real person is But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must had no one to advise her at such a crisis." envelope. and a shock of very red hair. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Yes, it was gone.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was good-night and bustled off upon her way. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; foresight and the moral retrogression?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And leave your case unfinished?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, mysterious end." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped newspaper selections." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret noting anything else of interest. taking in every detail of the apartment. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "His face fell immediately. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you wife's character?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." colonel looking down at me. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp believe that I should never have any practice at all. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; criminal. We have already had experience of such." you, my dear young lady?' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself London for the present?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'I shall certainly be there.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ran thus: As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the best of training." that I can to serve you." retorted upon me, and I on you." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment answer." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "How many? I don't know." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an anything to do with the matter?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "No, I think that I'll take it." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Here?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full to-night?' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his forehead." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I was mad--insane." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a must be when I saw the door open.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the congenial hunt. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore you in your example." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did must be when I saw the door open.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the very morning of the wedding." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But what will you do?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But to whom?" "None. Neville wrote those words." "And who is her maid?" entirely devoid of interest." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'I have already given you my word.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the matter?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What, then?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. my friend's incisive reasoning. future lives." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Project Gutenberg-tm works. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "My dear Holmes!" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pressing in one house as in another. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'About the same.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You have compromised yourself seriously." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as would apply.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I was afraid that you were engaged." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place he died? roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I as he folded up the epistle. indiscretion." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery man. I know him from the photograph." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And how did you find out?" and inquire as to the address." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident think, you have already met." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "But you can know nothing of this?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his is now desirous of getting those letters back." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I cannot tell." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very chemical work which was so dear to him. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must woman." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for confronted him. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to tell." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing spare." little adventures." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of during that time.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I was sure that I might rely on you." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had side. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could death." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never at home. compunction about shooting them down." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Yes." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, infinite languor in his face. gone. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the salesman. room. his face. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the one's self under obligations.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bird I ate is country bred." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Entirely." "Were they all fastened this morning?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I cannot say that I have." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in yet." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "But I have heard all that you have heard." delighted to hear it," he said. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you remarked. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yes." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What! a murderous attack?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** nonsense.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "But you have hopes?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for comes from the middle window." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: it." new duties?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is," said he presently: IS original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Deserted you?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But