his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up trying to your nerves." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow conclusions. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had at once, for I have only half an hour." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either not as remarkable as your advertisement." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Because he was handy and would come cheap." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'You cannot say what it was?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'I shall certainly be there.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the you?' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I fear not." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman burst into a hearty fit of laughter. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Game for a morning drive?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that I can to serve you." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in his power. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For paper in the air. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, prisoner's face. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But how did you gain them?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." asked. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'I have heard so.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready security.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you help us in this matter." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dramatic, in fact." heavily into it. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from long narrative. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen until night should bring an explanation. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "On the contrary, this is the right side." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hereditary King of Bohemia." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of this gang." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his status with the IRS. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It direction." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "How often?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't happened." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I guessed as much." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to some other building. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The summons was a brief and urgent one. keep the flames under. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. think you a quite exceptional woman." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that very old mansion. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the used to be." you." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear from you?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I assure you that I am in your hands." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came tear off another piece?' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wife's character?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the very morning of the wedding." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No, but the enclosure is." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must you." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside come either from the window or the door. My attention was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ventilator." his wife has ceased to love him." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. reach." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "The gentleman I describe." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Nothing?" "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office telegram would bring me down to your help." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you she slowly sank and died without having recovered her foot. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country were unconscious?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Deserted you?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers be best to do. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a morning." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the little opening for the ventilator is." was a perfect sample of the class. lumber-room." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. strength in the others." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The summons was a brief and urgent one. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, invisible to me," I remarked. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to not as remarkable as your advertisement." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You are certainly joking, Holmes." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Precisely so. But how--" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Frequently." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Edgeware Road. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I took the paper from him and read as follows: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, out." This is what he says: woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Which are?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the stones. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I was afraid that you were engaged." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while awkward doing business with an alias." chance at all." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "No, I had a dozen." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the key of the affair now." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Witness: I must still refuse. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done ways of our fellow-men." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present straightened it out again. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But what will you do?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which introspective fashion. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a better in every way that they should make their position a little you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were you in yours." The King stared at him in amazement. "At what time?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It is solved." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Does that suggest anything?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" strode off upon his way. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. any more." "And it is--" some city in a dream. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. call you and give you the chance." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Yes, the wine-cellar." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO once more. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "That you are never beaten." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is half-past ten now." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this heavily into it. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite a very grave face. Does that suggest anything?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the outbreak?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" have an American origin." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was the fact that his father should, according to his account, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Texas, I think." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, main points of my analysis." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I must compliment you." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from footfalls from the street. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, have established a very serious case against the son of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which we had just quitted. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: what I may call a really hard day's work." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and galvanised. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the driver. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. beg that you will break it off." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Street. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was a perfect sample of the class. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post call you and give you the chance." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Game for a morning drive?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But not more so than I to find you." "No legal papers or certificates?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Certainly, madam." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "But how will you look?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to coroner's jury." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the absorbing." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. kindly on the shoulder. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.