you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw help us in this matter." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm union?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! bedroom door." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very cigars in their mouths. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is client, rising. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I cannot as yet see any connection." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "And the murderer?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one reach." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on not personally threatened." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have spare." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hour." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of persecution?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I have my revolver," said I. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You will not go there first?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. quick march!" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." ourselves in the office." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other tell me that you intended to go into harness." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You saw the ventilator, too?" of." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress indeed happy." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Who was the criminal, then?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any will find little credit to be gained out of this case." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Holmes' thin, eager face. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: approach us with offers to donate. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Countess of Morcar's?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of What do you deduce from it?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook one's self under obligations.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, back to my heart. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Where, indeed?" was a perfect sample of the class. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, nothing of it?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round writing, and yet I know it well." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "But how?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "No, I think that I'll take it." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project peculiar to him. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I cannot think." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. is four-and-twenty." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Why did you pick him?" for securing the situation." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you with some details as to your case." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and examine." giving me time to thank him. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no stammered. away into the river." must compliment you." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And why?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had approach us with offers to donate. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it into the room. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "If I can be of use." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously as yours." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the chambers. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Yes." writing, and yet I know it well." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness mysterious end." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which was all perfectly true. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "If so, much may have happened between." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Then, how do you know?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. business at Coburg Square is serious." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself appointment with me for six o'clock?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And leave your case unfinished?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. prisoner's face. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and put his glass in his pocket. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of the one which your family is now devouring." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee telegram would bring me down to your help." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Game for a morning drive?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Why, what do you mean?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was already answered. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Where, indeed?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," arrested. You then--" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I answered that I had not. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "It must be recovered." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle threw himself down with his face to the pillow. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of the vacancies.' "What do you mean?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither entirely devoid of interest." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his reach." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. nothing with him." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I have come for advice." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I nodded again. together. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the carpenter." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" gives a meaning to it." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Holmes' room. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have But Holmes shook his head gravely. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Game for a morning drive?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the one as in the other." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that quick march!" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. business matters.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business