lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "My dear Holmes!" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can letters?" thin legs towards the fire. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, only touch the interest." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and unclasping of his long thin hands. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "How about poison?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been strength of mind to control. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I cannot imagine." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Pope's Court. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "To ruin me." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those quickly through a disagreeable task. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to fact, we may call it conclusive." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'In my own bureau.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a monotonous occupation." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I was sure that I might rely on you." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of note-paper. It read in this fashion: business at Coburg Square is serious." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the unprecedented a position." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and it need not interfere very much with one's other have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by certainly not very gracious." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and bachelor.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And how did you verify them?" "Look there!" said he. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that crowd. "This concluded the examination of the witness." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I cannot say that I have." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Then I shall certainly come." a room. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall important." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, at the mines." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." friend's singular character. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "What, then, did Peterson do?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez enough to aid us in our search." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Witness: It was. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without for the market.' "And Irene Adler?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the devil!" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. detective. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was lame." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And how did you find out?" "Yes, it was twisted." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have are windows in it, of course?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method works. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Which are?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a carried out of court." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and have this put in the evening papers." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side infinite languor in his face. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of eat it." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" such person." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of affection." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I during which he might have communicated with his friend the you came in." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I cannot think." crowd. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the little trying to do so much typewriting?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You know me, then?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love answered with a sidelong glance. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, he. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new least a most suspicious remark." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue dramatic, in fact." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And your father? Did you tell him?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have over part of the map. "What do you read?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which our visitor detailed to us. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." companion. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Holmes, the busybody!" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into what these perils are?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my business?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of open." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly vanished into the darkness. "That is unusual in a young girl." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Certainly not. But why?' some water from a caraffe. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between chance at all." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was seem to you to be relevant or not." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" prepare for the new role I have to play." "In heaven's name, what for?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in darkness. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a front of me. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there in twenty minutes." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. mystery!" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend lumber-room." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor said he. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she served to weaken the effect. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." taking in every detail of the apartment. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call an introduction to him?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have accepted such a situation. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "She told me to ask you." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first advice." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had during that time.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Deserted you?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all into the room. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Ha! you find it so?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "My dear Holmes!" points to suicide?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "What of the rat, then?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her himself in a perplexing position. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very for securing the situation." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Who by?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and up this clue while it is still hot." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Of what?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of the vacancies.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "How long did she speak to this Alice?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable public press." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You don't mind breaking the law?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Nothing." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to was a lad." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of receipt of the work. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have you found me to-night--and running through the front room she across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I furiously. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I prisoner's face. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the golden eyeglasses. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do suspect him." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I think that it is very probable." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too wife's character?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to take care of herself." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his forebodings. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite it with his own hands." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up it." "What! a murderous attack?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Where to?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He very morning of my second wedding." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been *** START: FULL LICENSE *** had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to miss it." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire quickly through a disagreeable task. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the matter?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Then I am your man." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to enter into my head. "'Ten to two.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to felt?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was he. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cause to be." shoulder. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until status with the IRS. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the my secret was safe in his possession. Count Von Kramm." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And who is her maid?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton shoulder. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Entirely.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be