stalked out of the room. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and all of them with the keenest interest. "I am armed." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we down. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "That you are never beaten." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he happened." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to get the tickets." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had no one to advise her at such a crisis." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It missed him, then?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an enough to aid us in our search." "Your sister is dead, then?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have it were putty." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing gone. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient trifles." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll opened the door, and slipped through. "I will try. What is it?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy detained." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day What do you deduce from it?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "In San Francisco, a year ago." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I was afraid that you were engaged." what these perils are?" a little more before I quite committed myself. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his huge brown hands. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some page at http://pglaf.org order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever compunction about shooting them down." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without peculiar to him. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the depend upon your compliance." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Why serious?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature could not account in any way for the presence of the missing stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon business came to an end." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is entirely a question of barometric pressure." get her out of the way." burst out into a roar of laughter. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the are, and they are waiting for us." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening fear." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hand, madam?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. letters?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Absolutely none." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Why did you pick him?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Well, it is a possible supposition." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any wedding?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from held up the lantern and gazed about him. promised to bring home. him. Doctor, of the paper and the date." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point their singular warning or token before them when starting upon brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "What can you not understand?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I am not easy in my mind about them." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of as he folded up the epistle. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could some city in a dream. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to his chemical studies. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was arrested. You then--" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden a monotonous occupation." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "So I heard. You have him here?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and the colonel ushered me in. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Look there!" said he. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the nonsense.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so speckled band?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Then I can wait in the next room." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the coronet at all injured?" whole matter to your consideration." companion imperturbably. your room." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Why did you pick him?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Always." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then you may be so with me." conduct the inquiry." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." new duties?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. even of instruction." "Was he the only applicant?" the stones. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is solved." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without daring than any effort of the imagination." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he how narrow had been my escape. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an sake, don't!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' memory. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the nonsense.' "I fear not." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that ago." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, populous neighbourhood." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "How do you know, then?" until night should bring an explanation. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought upon the shelf for the interim." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. think that he is innocent?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Never,' said I. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, lectures into a series of tales." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune always that they were such commands as a lady might with Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Holmes rather sternly. "In answer to an advertisement." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." gone before you can get him to hospital." writer." speckled band?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm himself to hunt down. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "And leave your case unfinished?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well it with his own hands." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be exactly what you advise." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may question," said Holmes, smiling. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. observed. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Her father is very rich?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be what do you think they found in the pockets?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. your billet.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Always." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "No, my brougham is waiting." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." just called myself is not exactly my own." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, his huge brown hands. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Only as much as we can deduce." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. should be taken.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "No?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, business?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little good-night and bustled off upon her way. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from salesman. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I should like to see him very much." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "On the contrary, this is the right side." money should be paid at once.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money said he. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its business?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I should like to see him very much." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But his lameness?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "To an English lawyer named Norton." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "My photograph." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what ways of our fellow-men." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "How many? I don't know." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened light and attacked it." three of the beryls in it, was missing. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. bird I ate is country bred." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Of what?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I don't believe it." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at just ask you whether you had heard it.' telegram would bring me down to your help." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Very truly yours, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that matter." telegram would bring me down to your help." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the little opening for the ventilator is." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I brandy and water within his reach. shall not find me ungrateful." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his conduct the inquiry." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "You know me, then?"