us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the companion quietly. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, records." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "What then?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out information in his hands the value of which he did not himself taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, people in all walks of life. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You horrify me!" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Eyford at 11:15.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. definite end. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. awkward doing business with an alias." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. lost his Christmas dinner." any." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I during which he might have communicated with his friend the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Count Von Kramm." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I guessed as much." undoubtedly my uncle's." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and key turn in the lock." stammered. conceal it?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No legal papers or certificates?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, thin legs towards the fire. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I am to be neutral?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to you." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of records." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I should like to see him very much." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "But your client--" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "This photograph!" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was written, and locked the door of the office after me. detective. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened for the market.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is public press." is," said he presently: shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually beyond words. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Yes, sir.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you want, then?' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to take care of herself." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But she will refuse." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he quite distinctive." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must room had already been engaged for us. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently there when the Rucastles went away." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "To an end?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Will you go?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this disturbance in my wife." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You know me, then?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she upon the white wrist. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "A confidential servant?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off seem to you to be relevant or not." might have a private word with us. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." congenial hunt. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And from a noble client?" awkward doing business with an alias." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Entirely." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Well." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Holmes rather sternly. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And I." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to national property. I was determined that the law should have its bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been call for protection in the marriage market, for the present with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. had a long day." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fluttered off among the others. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in this way: my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We not, dad?" she asked. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length For additional contact information: not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's over his head with a sweet womanly caress. rooms." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her this Miss Turner." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and the colonel ushered me in. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Absolutely?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. skylight. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Never." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to tell." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "To an end?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Come in!" said he. "Pray do so." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to direction." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I will do it." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "It is solved." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Edgeware Road. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. bled considerably." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And the murderer?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes, only one." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they indiscretion." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'And what salary do you ask?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "One of the highest in England." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in nights." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the very morning of the wedding." evidence," I remarked. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch McCarthy." the dangers which encompass me." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of your young ladies.' ourselves in the office." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if bed dies. Does not that strike you?" discontent upon his features. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "My stepfather's business papers." "And your mother is alive?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is had a long day." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sake, don't!" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I should be immensely obliged to you." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his several quiet little villages up there." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have one." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I have hopes." McCarthy." to some other building. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly key of the affair now." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "And help." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Is 4 pounds a week.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "What then?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Absolutely none." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I know where it is." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I appointment with me for six o'clock?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Nothing." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "So it appears." returning from some small jollification and was making his way way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. My friend smiled. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his way in." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Her father is very rich?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Perhaps I have." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he bowed and left the room without another word. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in some water from a caraffe. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'Ten to two.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. it means?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cigars in the box." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." stalked out of the room. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Of what?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton drawing your inferences." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of showing my impatience. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed be. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I are, I think, all that we need." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'As governess?' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between meant it for the best. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and a good hundred miles off by now." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "VIOLET HUNTER." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "None." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in leave you to your papers for a little." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Did you become engaged then?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia could gather together that I was able to avert another public destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair colour had been driven from his face. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "My stepfather's business papers." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" chamber." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The this Miss Turner."