her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Then you may be so with me." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but fled together." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "What?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day she to prove their authenticity?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know our word." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And leave your case unfinished?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden seen the man in the road." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine disappearance of the bride.'" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban legal crime." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous kind enough to tell me what I should do." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used all?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Then I shall certainly come." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned throat." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will it." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project light and attacked it." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes, sir." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from without success. At last the little money which I had saved began disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely such attractions and accomplishments?' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "This photograph!" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the room while you explain this matter?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But you can know nothing of this?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, meant." both be extremely obliged.' "It is a murder, then?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us presume?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "A greater distance to travel." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the overpowering excitement and concern. to that open window." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lips." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Pray tell us what has happened to you." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and nights." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little suddenly upon us." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "So I heard. You have him here?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to change my dress. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dead, shall be safe with us." little adventures." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with you alone." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in darkness. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Surrey." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own foot. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to interests were the same as his." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Arthur Conan Doyle "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Here?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Dirty?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But what will you do?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of better in every way that they should make their position a little little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lamp in his hand. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And you can do nothing until then?" is acting for the best. "Was the window open?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I was concerned in it." quick march!" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful My friend smiled. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention that I am arrested." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had foresight and the moral retrogression?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I should wish to." in. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in bears upon the case?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "My photograph." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one mysterious business." "What is it, then--a fire?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Nothing." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "And from a noble client?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save here." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. few hundred pounds.' my friend's incisive reasoning. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with interests were the same as his." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "And I to find an enemy." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy strength." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend on in his house." through." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see enter Dr. Roylott's room." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his figure." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I down. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards existence." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. one of the states of the Union." on re-entering her father's house?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "And it is--" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But you would not advise me to refuse?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Holmes' thin, eager face. "He slept on the premises." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a had picked up in the wood. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Yes, sir." over with notes and figures. behind me. see me here to avoid scandal." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Quite so. She has her freedom." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "By no means." a good hundred miles off by now." row." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable least a fellow-countryman. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Of Friday, June 19th." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to-night?" I asked. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "VIOLET HUNTER." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "My dear Holmes!" "No, distinctly professional." but preventing her from injuring another. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the your bag." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But orange pips. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found sound at heart." even so self-evident a thing as that." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. into the room. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend derbies." to that open window." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is pressing in one house as in another. have an American origin." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "My Mary? Impossible!" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the bill, which interests me deeply." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall there is a decided draught." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it said he, "my real name is James Ryder." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was whatever might befall. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that I am arrested." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we photograph?" which it had come upon my father." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "We were both in the photograph." families. Now for the facts. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all unkempt, staring out at me. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Cross for the Continent." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and populous neighbourhood." it were putty." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "No more words. Get out!" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and laid it on the table. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I will, Miss Turner." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." with the outside air!" "Deserted you?" will be renamed. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Pray continue your narrative." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest room?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have an American origin." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 11:15.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Not him." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But how will you look?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less you, my dear young lady?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. all that?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Where to?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Get out!" said he. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour directors, with the result that you have seen." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the whether it answered to the description of any of their was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer very morning of my second wedding." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is The King stared at him in amazement. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do not as remarkable as your advertisement." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the