"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, just ask you whether you had heard it.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have handed it to him. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the think, you have already met." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of a suggestive one." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It is no ordinary one." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I know where it is." copied or distributed: "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You know me, then?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Never." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I guessed as much." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the was used.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Yes, sir.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lee, in the county of Kent." other lovers by making love himself." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on with the outside air!" "Of Friday, June 19th." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "On the contrary, this is the right side." the coronet in his hands?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of do you make of it all?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its speckled band?" away into the river." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Was the window open?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "How did you deduce the select?" "I have my revolver," said I. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, think you a quite exceptional woman." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who colonel looking down at me. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when father's young wife. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And what did you learn from him?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' as noiselessly as she had come. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his tied." presented more singular features than that which was associated stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bearing upon the case." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by appointment with me for six o'clock?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ago." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and the whole place is in a blaze." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," me. You must get home instantly and act." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran trying to your nerves." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers leaning back in his chair. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This results." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed lost his Christmas dinner." "Perfectly so." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" man. I know him from the photograph." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich that I am arrested." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, you in your example." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'How far from the body?' dead, shall be safe with us." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." became a certainty. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "No good news?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "One of the highest in England." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Mrs. Toller serenely. weary and pale-looking. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "That you are never beaten." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Yes, it was gone.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would companion quietly. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through neither fascinating nor artistic." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction horse could go." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no again, where I was soon asleep. "I will try. What is it?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'I shall certainly be there.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And now?" I asked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Then let me do so?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but will not take me long to tell. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cheerful." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, fasten all the windows?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to-night." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for been with you?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, father's place of business?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "But who is he?" "But his lameness?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Not in the least." matter." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Eyford at 11:15.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most always that they were such commands as a lady might with rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You did not overhear what they said?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "But to whom?" affair. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Munro.' "'A dozen yards or so.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to meanly of me." "Then, how do you know?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is felt the room to be a little close.' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "It came here." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong crowd. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is brain must have something in it." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to hour?' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "The landlord of the Alpha." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and II. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the tell them apart.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the unkempt, staring out at me. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, think you a quite exceptional woman." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to delirious. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm room had already been engaged for us. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second do you make of it all?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "There are none." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "And when will you call?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Yes, sir.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. tightly behind him. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can breakfast?" indiscretion." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for tightly behind him. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six where Mr. Fordham shows you.' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And is that all?" gentleman's clothes. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Never." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever trifles." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Mary, has deserted me." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Did you become engaged then?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them chamber." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight weapon." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City business?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know conclusions. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It was." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the open." overpowering excitement and concern. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that you can jump it.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Pray let us have it, for all that." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his there was no need for father to know." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my taking in every detail of the apartment. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Your sister is dead, then?" to-night?' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But felt the room to be a little close.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And for present expenses?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." again, where I was soon asleep. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from then?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the for its centre. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence late!' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "But he might be a bachelor." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was shining brightly. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" nothing of it?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us depend upon my doing so.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, beg that you will break it off." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only works. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. second." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, village inn over there?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I particular state visit http://pglaf.org forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Most admirably.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on