Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, in the dead of the night?' orange pips. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to there." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own bears upon the case?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Entirely.' tail." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I am to be neutral?" indiscretion." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who ashen face. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I will try. What is it?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he your room." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in a very precise fashion." "Yes, sir." cheerful." within hail.' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am becomes even more simple." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from garden below. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can situation." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good man. strong and stiff." wife's character?" 'please.'" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I am in hopes that she does." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second kindly on the shoulder. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Why that?' I asks. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in the port of London." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known plantation.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes." photograph?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, place of silver." "What shall I do?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon what I may call a really hard day's work." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the chambers. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. garden below. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily without a word or a look. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and the church but not where the lady lived." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and have this put in the evening papers." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'Most admirably.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied lips." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept amused." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It's nothing of the kind." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of skylight. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a residence of the great financier. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the your co-operation." the stable lane now." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Where is it, then?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be heavily into it. whereabouts. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found were unconscious?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the chill to my heart. "Witness: It was. "By no means." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. matter." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and wife's character?" "That is possible." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell undoubtedly my uncle's." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes, I have one waiting." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seem to you to be relevant or not." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Why that?' I asks. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided behind me. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us this man was intellectual?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' been." interested in these little problems, and since you are good formed some opinion?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes who was a member of your goose club." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I assist you in forming an opinion." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm writer." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I cannot imagine." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Did your wife hear all this?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds compunction about shooting them down." emerged. room. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The Coroner: What do you mean? Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our south, for the country is more deserted there." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was friend's singular character. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less you, my dear young lady?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "An accident, I presume?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Stolen, then." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent case-book, which he consulted. with frightened eyes at his accuser. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "How do you know, then?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, even so self-evident a thing as that." results." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend papers." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "What then?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the coroner come to?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn your sleep?' in this note: keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "This concluded the examination of the witness." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was already answered. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay giving me time to thank him. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case even of instruction." if she died from some sudden fright." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the salesman. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all call it cruel." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage meant." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you were new raised from a basin. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend indiscretion." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "One of the highest in England." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Quite so." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began bedroom door." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "What is it, then--a fire?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project you?' "I should wish to." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of locked." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It not come at once?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Entirely." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my closing the door. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "That also I could fathom." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action stood on the top of it. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely page at http://pglaf.org together. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I answered that I had not. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I cannot as yet see any connection." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You think that he is dead?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I straightened it out again. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I shall be delighted." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My overpowering excitement and concern. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But how?" reach." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "What then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open than to us.