truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and laid it on the table. "How on earth--" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Oh, fresh and glossy." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I child?' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "None." results." better in every way that they should make their position a little over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." side. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "The rest you will leave in our hands." not as remarkable as your advertisement." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to dead, shall be safe with us." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. with frightened eyes at his accuser. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." again on its way. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You will not go there first?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his than to us. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. business in the City. She little knew what. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I have it here in my museum." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the room while you explain this matter?" and all of them with the keenest interest. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the inner apartment." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the very morning of the wedding." attention." would apply.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of breakfast?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent off." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and in the port of London." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone it." Holmes." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "No bad?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have minor matters until to-morrow." galvanised. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Does that suggest anything?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I should wish to." there when the Rucastles went away." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is new duties?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were his eyes and forehead. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I shall most certainly do so." see a sister of mine apply for." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, them?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then the page we have seen--" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Witness: Nothing definite. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. cause to be." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to a light-house. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hand, madam?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. who was a member of your goose club." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO indeed happy." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. that he will be back before evening." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of your young ladies.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of keep the flames under. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the bottom.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I nothing with him." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom there has been an enclosure here!" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may train.' "I will not look." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My stepfather's business papers." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Was the window open?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What will you do, then?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even envelope. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all there in twenty minutes." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as may have an influence upon European history." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of them has the shutters up.' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Dr. Gregory B. Newby considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," kindly on the shoulder. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "How did that help you?" article?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, fire. You quite follow me?" floor. "Then, how do you know?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging said he. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get possible that we could bring him back to her? husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though least a most suspicious remark." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel village inn over there?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "But who is he?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "On Monday." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally companion. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You think so, too?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Perfectly so." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No. What a strange idea!" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Well, some hundreds of times." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hands. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Pray let us have it, for all that." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say salesman. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could gone. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her confronted him. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest unprecedented a position." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few where Mr. Fordham shows you.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is them?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he some mystery and the punishment of some crime." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Yes, certainly." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of it with the greatest attention. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery what do you think they found in the pockets?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gone before you can get him to hospital." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which mysterious end." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public through." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. it with his own hands." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And you don't know his address?" photograph?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But what will you do?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael or in danger--" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a strode off upon his way. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been in his power. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent presented more singular features than that which was associated number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Then I am your man." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. success. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a said I. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That is also quite modern," said the lady. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is His smile broadened. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the coronet in his hands?" wedding?" "To the police?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Dirty?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled are, I think, all that we need." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised place, I think that there is good ground to think that the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the floor. way in everything. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "It is a murder, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up tied." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that "And how did you find out?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I cannot say that I have." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the was a perfect sample of the class. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I think it very unlikely." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable everything which you would wish to know." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable arms and began to sob in a high treble key. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my placed his cuttings. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up you?' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. interest. They are important, you understand, without being at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "So I have heard." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for there were so many in the whole country as were brought together know what is wrong with it.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Quite so." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that prisoner's face. recover the gem." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not personally threatened." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "She told me to ask you." "No, I had a dozen." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there congratulate you again." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in the dead of the night?' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away