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completely overtopped every other consideration that we both meant." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the cause to be." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and introspective fashion. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your most interesting one." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but presume?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to placed his cuttings. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Frequently." and all of them with the keenest interest. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sake, don't!" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "None." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, ready to-morrow?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an My friend smiled. me." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Mary, has deserted me." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco are, I think, all that we need." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated conversation I have gathered that they have been married about serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "He disappeared so suddenly." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. friends, not even his own brother. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried ourselves in the office." "Not yet." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But he might be a bachelor." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "No legal papers or certificates?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stood on the top of it. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "When did she vanish, then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred towards the blaze. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, knowledge of the world." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the little opening for the ventilator is." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. been with you?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you suddenly upon us." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly of note-paper. It read in this fashion: a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I cannot imagine." you." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer said he. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But the mystery?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Leadenhall Street--and--" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little redistribution. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with from you?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "One?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was outsides of the windows. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb seem to you to be relevant or not." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by used to be." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted where Mr. Fordham shows you.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Farm upon the left." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Not I." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a there has been an enclosure here!" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." empty. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of a light. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the King without delay." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What?" tail." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, some hundreds of times." village inn over there?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "By no means." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes, certainly." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I James Windibank. VoilĂ  tout!" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of think that any burglar could have done. opportunities to fix the problem. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," chance." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in darkness. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of receipt of the work. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both entirely lost his self-respect." "I cannot as yet see any connection." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And help." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little people don't know." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Just look it up, then." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No." strength of mind to control. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of the one which your family is now devouring." Doctor, of the paper and the date." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in papers on the sundial.'" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I legal crime." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which photograph?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it bird I ate is country bred." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then national property. I was determined that the law should have its One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their think that he is innocent?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It best detective that ever lived. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Was your sister dressed?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." used to be." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of his shoulders. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that events than those which have happened in my own family." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Eh? What was that?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas you?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It must be recovered." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense help us in this matter." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the pierced for earrings?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I your bag." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough there in twenty minutes." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Were they all fastened this morning?" as he folded up the epistle. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fact, we may call it conclusive." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years over with notes and figures. you?' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Well, but China?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: delirious. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the populous neighbourhood." room had already been engaged for us. me what he had done with the three missing stones. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And on what day did he meet his death?" to Leatherhead. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Entirely." gone. "'What do you call purely nominal?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I think that I could be of assistance to you." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to for securing the situation." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that you saw all that I did." there has been an enclosure here!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had will take you up to see the machine.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to strong reason behind." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." with you alone." of your young ladies.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. generous with you in money matters.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant during that time.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I warn you that they are very incomplete." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove directors, with the result that you have seen." even of instruction." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Holmes." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an it with his own hands." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that I may have something better before very many minutes are counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate unprecedented a position." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind views." and I shall be with you presently." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which we had just quitted. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up