the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And who is her maid?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "No, finished." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is maiden herself was most instructive." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed memory. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'And the work?' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in his hands." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I am not easy in my mind about them." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser on re-entering her father's house?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and experiences." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire then?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the coroner come to?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have unprecedented a position." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. developed." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "She told me to ask you." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that I am arrested." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel unkempt, staring out at me. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Mrs. Toller serenely. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'I have already given you my word.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, good-night and bustled off upon her way. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I cannot imagine." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pressing in one house as in another. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What shall I do?" "Bought." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of your young ladies.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "By train from Waterloo." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I am sure." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of night.' said he. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a gbnewby@pglaf.org "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It's nothing of the kind." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, astonishment. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the loss of it. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the nothing with him." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was it right.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing a monotonous occupation." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to minor matters until to-morrow." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in his power. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Then let me do so?' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "She will not sell." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious tell him that I know him to be innocent." fuss that is made over them." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped use an arc-and-compass breastpin." will not take me long to tell. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Not in the least." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fat-encircled eyes. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as arms and began to sob in a high treble key. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. followed. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his opportunities to fix the problem. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the other means.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "That's no good." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, I held the little printed slip to the light. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. occupations.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself telegram would bring me down to your help." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the highroad, where all traces were lost. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," strong reason behind." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Yes, only one." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Well, some hundreds of times." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "On your arm?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Yes." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Quite so." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And your mother is alive?" "'Yes, it was gone.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of posted to-day." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of crime. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to some other building. few hundred pounds.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" points to suicide?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. tied." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen vault. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. done what I asked you, Jones?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my former friend and companion. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" stammered. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I am not easy in my mind about them." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I overpowering excitement and concern. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And why?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well tell them apart.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring galvanised. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up You want to know what became of those geese?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked night.' said he. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young conduct the inquiry." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Murdered?" trifles." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden several quiet little villages up there." for the market.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I chill to my heart. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Then you may be so with me." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' cigar and let me expound." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, have been better. It is all right." call for it in person on Monday morning.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Edgeware Road. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' It may be so in this case, also." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her off." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I was lame." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "You are certainly joking, Holmes." furiously. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Why serious?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter father's place of business?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your papers must be those that are destroyed.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the together. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried wedding?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three so far?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "None. Neville wrote those words." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, roused himself from his reverie. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End wanted for ourselves." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the a monotonous occupation." other lovers by making love himself." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Dirty?" said he. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Holmes, the busybody!" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress locked." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days will not take me long to tell. true." instincts rose up against that laugh. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" your co-operation." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He