and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the been deceived." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy even of instruction." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society matter." "But it has twice been burgled." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I never have." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I fear not." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in whether it answered to the description of any of their his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found been shamefully used." papers." highly," said Holmes. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Then I do not see the point." "And I say east," said my patient. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three take the flies, but not before." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and wall." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I don't believe it." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, from Horsham." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You have but to name it." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I cannot tell." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black sparkled upon his finger. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped forehead. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the tied." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from know all about it," he snarled. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At think that any burglar could have done. cigars in their mouths. "Was the window open?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Was your sister dressed?" "No." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you pierced for earrings?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of it with the greatest attention. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all sneer upon his pale face. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past becomes even more simple." people in all walks of life. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the window, rose as we entered. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. letters?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes, certainly." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." back alive. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very kind enough to tell me what I should do." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of made his money." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "None." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee shadow pass over his face as I spoke. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Pray let us have it, for all that." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "At half-wages, in fact." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Really! You surprise me." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'What do you call purely nominal?' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. correct than the official force." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty copied or distributed: lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything fishes. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this amused." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Very much so." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And on what day did he meet his death?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. back into the street. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, it would be as well." fluttered off among the others. "Yes." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fishes. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to surprise her." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the date of his supposed suicide." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a said he. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'What, the red-headed man?' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Pool. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a disturbance in my wife." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather fasten all the windows?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Holmes, the busybody!" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low success. "Yes." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a trying to your nerves." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he about here speaks of his kindness to him." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Have you her photograph?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Have you it here?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. indeed which he could not unravel. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of highly," said Holmes. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that following enigmatical notices: "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, had a long day." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal paper in the air. "Yes." "It is very kind of you." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of mysterious end." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which as noiselessly as she had come. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And how did you find out?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we your room." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Ten to two.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first morning." "Your French gold?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Here?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of gbnewby@pglaf.org least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, own family. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his indeed happy." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there conversation I have gathered that they have been married about ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the address that was given us in the advertisement. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would not personally threatened." you give your casting vote to?" absorbing." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Precisely." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed people in all walks of life. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the running down." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "A greater distance to travel." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my letters?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "BALLARAT." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I beg pardon." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "That is not always so easy." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I other means.' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, had this final quarrel? like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. our word." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. away into the river." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Look there!" said he. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "You are certainly joking, Holmes." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of campaign. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for I have it here in my museum." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Yes." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in weary and pale-looking. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? them present such singular features as the strange train of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I am following you closely," I answered. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have what these perils are?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of against a man in the prime of life?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You forget that I know nothing about it." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and inquire as to the address." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he outbreak?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the than was visible to me." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "No." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Chief Executive and Director inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as allusion to a rat. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Watson," he said cordially. union?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of with the outside air!" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'Yes, I promise.' must be when I saw the door open.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very are, I think, all that we need." tightly behind him. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "An accident, I presume?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Which dealer's?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. him, that man would not have given me such complete information deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" think that any burglar could have done.