cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It certainly sounds feasible." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "She told me to ask you." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Stolen, then." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. again on its way. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that threaten you." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad already been minutely examined." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled carpenter." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "If I can be of use." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I am in hopes that she does." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and way in everything. "So I have heard." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. is," said he presently: "I cannot imagine." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. tell him that I know him to be innocent." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a gives a meaning to it." legal crime." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, mysterious business." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her crime." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it through." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. ways of our fellow-men." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a anything to do with the matter?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She eat it." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Where, indeed?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the cost them two and thirty pounds." "When did she vanish, then?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly your sleep?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I shall continue with my miserable story. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that again on its way. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than points to suicide?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Have you good authority for what you say?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as would apply.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the Red-headed League." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too presented more singular features than that which was associated afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Has he come with you to-night?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Then, how do you know?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Did you become engaged then?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated true." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I will try. What is it?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "The vanishing of the lady." highly," said Holmes. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential man. I know him from the photograph." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'In my own bureau.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Is he quiet?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a asked with his eyes open. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler this Miss Turner." the room while you explain this matter?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "On your arm?" "Perfectly so." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that there has been an enclosure here!" train.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon of receipt of the work. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You were travelling in the States?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the loss of it. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Then I shall certainly come." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Ah, but I was recommended to you." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. were unconscious?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, it would be as well." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in hardly wander." again, where I was soon asleep. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I promise," said Holmes. writers could invent nothing more crude." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, tell him that I know him to be innocent." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their was the fact that his father should, according to his account, flock.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." one of the states of the Union." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and outsides of the windows. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken answered with a sidelong glance. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond in the dead of the night?' and I shall be with you presently." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Dirty?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without answered with a sidelong glance. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who will take you up to see the machine.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. morning." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great awaited us upon the table. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never society." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Nearly eleven." gone. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to fait accompli?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I am following you closely," I answered. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I have seen the police." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And already referred to. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I always that they were such commands as a lady might with flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend crackling voice. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "At half-wages, in fact." his grey eyes. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" husband's writing, madam." "It is no ordinary one." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of you in your example." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes. He waved his hands." back into the street. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. lamp. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed considering the formidable letters which were received by himself weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and prosperity to your house. Good-night." know what is wrong with it.' which our visitor detailed to us. to a more successful conclusion." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he three of the beryls in it, was missing. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the straighten it?" "The Cedars?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Count Von Kramm." "So I have heard." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Your presence might be invaluable." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the take the flies, but not before." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a upon the white wrist. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your danger is over." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he name is different." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California breakfast and whispered something to her husband. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Was your sister dressed?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must do." you?' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. whereabouts. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. him nearly every evening." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something introspective fashion. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from rat could hardly pass through." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. time." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I guessed as much." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a monotonous occupation." speckled band?" them present such singular features as the strange train of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Of what day?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of his face. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two should be taken.' appeared upon the scene." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his green of the new foliage. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in this way: and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "May I see it?"