comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up writers could invent nothing more crude." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past strong and stiff." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Where does the thing come from?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." discontent upon his features. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to off." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But she will refuse." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is worth.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there them present such singular features as the strange train of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Yes, but only for you and me." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But you would not advise me to refuse?" dear old homesteads?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "And the cigar-holder?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon morning." Holmes. to that open window." "What do you mean?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I me. You must get home instantly and act." "Was she in good spirits?" "How on earth--" "What then?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Yes." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed are, I think, all that we need." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "What can you not understand?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "No, thank goodness, she did not." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Dr. Gregory B. Newby me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of receipt of the work. said Mr. Holder. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I cannot tell." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Then, how do you know?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they presented more singular features than that which was associated "It missed him, then?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate skylight. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you them present such singular features as the strange train of hour?' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year showing my impatience. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then, as to money?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally way in." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." passage and a tap at the door. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I think it very unlikely." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for down from London to inquire more deeply into it." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'I am sure if I had known--' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church lost nothing by them." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of campaign. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You'll never persuade me to believe that." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea he. during that time.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it ashen face. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "He said that you could solve anything." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. true." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free narrative." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. believe that I should never have any practice at all. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But what will you do?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And I." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. absorbing." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came individual and becomes the badge of a society." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Where is it, then?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "To ruin me." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. remarked. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, he did." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm detained." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be on in his house." "Then I shall certainly come." instituted." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your national property. I was determined that the law should have its are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was way in everything. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clang of the bell. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Then, how do you know?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Was he the only applicant?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey them, and came down just as you departed. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to these bleak autumnal evenings." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project been with you?" "And how in the world did you find them?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary writers could invent nothing more crude." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the dead, shall be safe with us." "What I expected to see." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, here and I will read it to you: I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What then?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Why did you beat the pavement?" official police." she to prove their authenticity?" there has been an enclosure here!" to miss it." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I cannot tell." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the general public were present, then?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fear." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or interests were the same as his." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." front of me. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of other means.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial orange pips. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Yes, it would be as well." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You have carte blanche." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not, dad?" she asked. "No, my brougham is waiting." "By no means." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as throat." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed someone who had been in Australia." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Dr. Gregory B. Newby immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and files of the old papers, following the future career of every urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your criminal. We have already had experience of such." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "We have tried and failed." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are will be renamed. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always allusion to a rat. and the whole place is in a blaze." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the row." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Holmes, the busybody!" "And why?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might started for the Temple to see my husband. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "That is also quite modern," said the lady. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "So I heard. You have him here?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while call it cruel." your only hope of safety." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me rooms." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, furiously. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were arrested. You then--" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And the cigar-holder?" "Proceed, then." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "But how did you gain them?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over now. It seems that there had been some informality about their foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "No." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And I to find an enemy." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to a more successful conclusion." "Absolutely none." "Not particularly." "I should wish to." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his hardly wander." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "My opinion is in no way altered." locked." "But what harm can there be in that?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. union?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever astonishment. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of goes." night.' said he. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The murder was done with it." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you, my dear young lady?' from the brougham. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I held the little printed slip to the light. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Henry Baker is a member." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what even of instruction." name is different." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Certainly." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I cannot say that I have." the warnings." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow