very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the stones. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my secret was safe in his possession. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the seven miles from Eyford Station.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You think that he is dead?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing arrested. You then--" entirely devoid of interest." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of them has the shutters up.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Here?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I promise," said Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face God! What an exposure! What can I do?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'And the work?' unprofitable." answered with a sidelong glance. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "No, I think that I'll take it." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Her father is very rich?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then I can wait in the next room." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who pressing in one house as in another. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of him to be an active member of the medical profession." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as points to suicide?" "Yesterday." meant it for the best. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Cross for the Continent." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "But he might be a bachelor." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will arrested. You then--" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wedding?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are His smile broadened. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sutherland. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I followed. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so infinite languor in his face. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was once confined in the cab my mission was practically stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, one else, I think." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout ventilator." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the papers must be those that are destroyed.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the coronet in his hands?" "And you can do nothing until then?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the charged with?" golden eyeglasses. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble prisoner's face. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "No bad?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fluttered off among the others. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. if only as a check to my own memory." gone. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, you." populous neighbourhood." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Thank you. And your address?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in one or two places in England?' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the imbecility!" he cried. "'Very good.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable retorted upon me, and I on you." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had II. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much walking." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there away into the river." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you, my dear young lady?' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "That sounds a little paradoxical." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set in him." introspective fashion. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my colour had been driven from his face. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of residence of the great financier. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and that he would see to anything that turned up. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "But what harm can there be in that?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for coroner's jury." bonnet, and went out." the loss of it. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Just look it up, then." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again papers must be those that are destroyed.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw this as likely?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of photograph?" galvanised. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes bill, which interests me deeply." in darkness. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "No." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "To ruin me." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his asked with his eyes open. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You think so, too?" following enigmatical notices: used to be." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Holmes' thin, eager face. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But how will you look?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Then let me do so?' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It is solved." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Did he not advertise?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Where, indeed?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I existence." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I am armed." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, I am descending." miles off. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect himself to hunt down. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my you?' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made heavy and sharp instrument." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Did he not advertise?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to existence." unprofitable." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Here?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no fasten all the windows?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would that he will be back before evening." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one someone who had been in Australia." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and again on its way. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to in him." something of him before." "'Ten to two.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Where, indeed?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to-night's adventure." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Yes." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the chair. Arthur Conan Doyle usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally your sleep?' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Then he might have called to you?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Eyford at 11:15.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I cannot tell." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of before the coroner and the police-court." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Was she in good spirits?" "One?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at go back?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. answered with a sidelong glance. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out young Openshaw's." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, I was concerned in it." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I do." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Nor running a chance of arrest?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., 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: perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'What then?' I asked. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who drove away. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The King stared at him in amazement. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where highroad, where all traces were lost. "And you can do nothing until then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Very good.' "Have you it here?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "What, then?" up this clue while it is still hot." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." we went to search for him, face downward in a little might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes rather sternly. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this later, upon the night of May 2nd." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I cannot think." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from article?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar she has been waylaid. There has been no result." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive