either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, that is the Crown." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'And what salary do you ask?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted said I. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works at once, for I have only half an hour." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another were unconscious?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and good for you to do.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Perhaps we may make them less so." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." for its centre. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges conceal it?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker asked with his eyes open. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after tension within him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for families. Now for the facts. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I should like to see him very much." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Yes." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It is very clear." made him keep the appointment." "Then I shall certainly come." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you good for you to do.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred an introduction to him?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It must be recovered." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing for and were ordered to this address. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Won't it ring?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fishes. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Never to return." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A if only as a check to my own memory." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And how in the world did you find them?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous absorbing." "And I to find an enemy." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to important." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the redistribution. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "By all means." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since there is a decided draught." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll touch that coronet?' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." felt?" License. You must require such a user to return or will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his here." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those recall any case within my experience which looked at the first little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was door?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I am not easy in my mind about them." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The doctor?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no appeal." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to talk it over. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the head. So long, then!" look upon these things in a different way." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, hard-headed British jury." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to-morrow." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was them?" jewels which you have stolen?' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, acted in my house last night?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "How often?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this second window is the one that I jumped from." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during were wasted." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Then I shall certainly come." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six his forehead." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my secret was safe in his possession. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Won't it ring?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the enter Dr. Roylott's room." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. power." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "In which, sir?" "But what harm can there be in that?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Ah, but I was recommended to you." legal crime." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of the vacancies.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It is no ordinary one." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. cigars in their mouths. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing what do you think they found in the pockets?" hand, madam?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and then?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" charged with?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "About a month then." you came in." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside III. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." meant." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of tied." man. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted answered with a sidelong glance. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This carriage. It was a chestnut." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I back to my heart. have one." The King stared at him in amazement. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly business?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking think, you have already met." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, directors, with the result that you have seen." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed introspective fashion. round and wave him away like that.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." foot. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Oh, no.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward guilty one." national property. I was determined that the law should have its have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New had this final quarrel? either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, said I. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "What! a murderous attack?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the will be renamed. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I shall communicate with you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the very morning of the wedding." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And from a noble client?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have again on its way. "Whose house is it?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'What then?' I asked. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I say it is." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to questioning and rather startled gaze. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I know where it is." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector It may be so in this case, also." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one man. I know him from the photograph." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider purpose equally well?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the over here." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my them present such singular features as the strange train of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. himself. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may certainly not very gracious." "I should wish to." in his hands." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the without a word or a look. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to hand, madam?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to know that the truth is known." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, States. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That o'clock is it?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable strength of mind to control. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And the murderer?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "And you can do nothing until then?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or even so self-evident a thing as that." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out a little more before I quite committed myself. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads carpenter." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting returned to France?" said Mr. Holder. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked excitement. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his telegram would bring me down to your help." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, photograph a cabinet?" "Yes, that is the Crown." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Then I do not see the point." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock yet." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the dangers which encompass me."